Pennsylvania’s Sathanas have been causing a ruckus in the underground since 1988’s Ripping Evil demo, but it is these last several years during which they’ve been on one hell of a roll. In 2005 they released the Entering the Diabolic Trinity album and followed it up with the scorching Crowned Infernal (both on Pulverised Records). Now on Poland’s Pagan Records, Sathanas unleashes another mighty offering of black/thrash Armageddon called Nightrealm Apocalypse that is every bit the feral beast that is its predecessor.

What really makes this album go is the ferocious attack. Descriptors like that get thrown around all the time, but in the case of Nightrealm Apocalypse it is far beyond accurate. The overall sound is molten and biting, whether the hell spawned vocals and searing riffs of Paul Tucker, the thundering drums of Jim Strauss, or the bruising bass of Bill Davidson. That’s just part of the equation though. All 10 tracks are brilliant in their simplicity, sporting a wide array of chokehold riffs and choruses that are immediately gratifying. “Simplicity” is in no way a criticism either. It just means that songs like the title track and “Cult of Blood” (one of several utilizing effective backing growls) are driven by a killer riff, driving rhythm, and verse-chorus-verse immediacy.

Sometimes bands think so deeply about complexity in the arrangements that core songwriting suffers. On Nightrealm Apocalypse each track hits with full force and leaves a lasting impression. Just like previous releases, odes to his Satanic majesty abound, an attribute that the trio has made into an art form. It is just plain iniquitous and all of it conjures images of leather ‘n spike clad warriors banging heads before a wall of flame. This one is metal to the bone and serves as a reminder of why most of us fell in love with the genre in the first place.

I have to believe that the majority of metal fans would fine at least some level of enjoyment in what Sathanas creates. Nightrealm Apocalypse is a loud, belligerent, overtly Satanic riff-o-rama with memorable songwriting. If that’s not enough, then you’re just too damn picky. Revel in the riffery, thrust a fist in the air, and praise Satan. Let us hope for many more prolific years from Sathanas!
www.myspace.com/sathanasmetal
www.paganrecords.com

[Visit the band's website]

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