Inferno

Indonesian record label Ironbound hits a grand slam with the inclusion of Austria's Zepter to its roasting roster, as the Linz quartet's debut EP Inferno sounds like a hellish union between the wildly rocking likes of Spain's Witchtower and fellow knicker twisting countrymen Venator. Hence, the tolling bell of auspiciousness rings loud and clear!

Essentially, the four crushing tunes therein are cast out as a volatile brew incorporating a zesty modernity with, at times, a distinctively Black Sabbathian, old school roughness, such as on furious shred fest "Inquisitor", but for the main part, Zepter creates its own hyper-jangling sound, comparable to Witchtower's, albeit with less of a so-called "plump" factor i.e. overt bassiness, and more of a diamond honed angularity which also recalls Brazil's Defier, as far as a perennial thrash element goes.

The front man's spectral vocals possess a unique zaniness; not amateurish, but like best Zeeb Parkes (of Witchfinder General) emulation, in a dingy, metal-loving karaoke bar. I also greatly dig the lone guitar crunch factor, ramped up as it is in the fiery midst of "Inferno". The dual electric axes' tone is sharp and crisp, but the bass also makes itself loudly heard (like a rumbling Ford-150 at four in the morning). As well, the Venator comparison is readily palpable when you consider the manic, however sloppy, intricacy of "Precise Radar". Of note, the cassette version doubles down on the fun, with both sides running concurrently for a repeat experience.

Alongside Cleveland's Tündra, which has also recently released an ice-breaking EP highly worth checking out, Zepter is firmly catalogued as essential 2024 "nwothm".