Angelic Dread

While never actually inactive, Angelic Dread is Nunslaughter's first full length album in seven years and only their fourth overall since their formation in 1987. What's interesting about that is that Nunslaughter puts out releases like they were going out of style, at a rate that even Sabbat and Zarch 'Baal' Tharagh could appreciate, as there are one hundred and thirty-eight albums listed (thus far). So it's a rare thing indeed when the Nunslaughter crew commits to releasing a full length album. Angelic Dread features to two discs, with the first covering fifteen tracks of all new material and the second showcasing sixteen tracks that were previously only available on various 7” releases, re-recorded specifically for this release.

Self-described as “devil metal”, there really couldn't be a more apt description of Nunslaughter's music. To all the NWN, Hells Headbangers and Iron Bonehead followers, you already know what to expect, because, hell, Nunslaughter embodies the raw and primal style of metal that seems to frequently ooze from those labels' depths. Continuing their take on old school, no frills thrash-laden death metal, Nunslaughter pull no punches and take no prisoners. While it's not an original sound or an original approach, Nunslaughter just seem to do it with more conviction and balls than other acts. Even with all of the morbidly sarcastic and satanic lyrics and dissonant, muddy tones, Angelic Dread is, like most other Nunslaughter releases, a fun album to listen to (I use fun loosely). The chugging, thrashy riffs and headbanging groove throughout are balanced out with a stellar production job that allows plenty of filth and dirty to permeate the sound while keeping all of the instruments at the right levels.

Angelic Dread showcases more bestial, thrashing riffs than you could ever shake a stick at. Don of the Dead's trademark primitive growls sound just as angry and bitter as ever. The old school guitar tone and rollicking thrashy riffs conjure images of Possessed and Repulsion, evoking plenty of nostalgic images yet with a sound that is decidedly Nunslaughter. The second disc of the album compiles sixteen old tracks that have been freshly rerecorded for this release. While some of the tracks approach from slightly different angles, like the calculated trem riffing on “Cerebus” or the doomy Incantation vibes at the beginning of “Healing the Possessed”, it sounds like everything could have been written in one session.

Nunslaughter aren't a band that's concerned with gimmicks and trends, as they've been playing the same style with the same conviction since their formation. Angelic Dread is not going to win the band any new fans, as Nunslaughter just does exactly what they've always done: fucking devil metal. With some of the band's heaviest and grooviest tracks to date, longtime fans of the band simply cannot go wrong here. If you dig thrashing and bashing death metal with leather, spikes and satan, look no further.

Written for The Metal Observer.