Here’s the 6th album from Brazilian Black/Thrash veterans Power From Hell, whom I’m not familiar with due to my general lack of knowledge or affinity for Black/Thrash metal. And due to those reasons, probably won’t check out again, but fans of the genre should check them out if they haven’t already.

Culling from  the first wave of black metal and a little dash of their inherent bestial, South American tones, Profound Evil Presence is a by the numbers black thrash record with an organic feel that’s cleaners that some of the more intentionally nasty or dirty sounding peers in the genre. Founder, songwriter and vocalist Sodomic has a reverby, distant, throaty rasp that’s neither evil or menacing sounding and the guitars are surprisingly flat for a genre that usually at least has a more tetanus inducing bite (case and point, the recent Necromutilator), even if the songs are flat.

And thusly the record’s 42 minute, 11 song run time is neither evil or profound, if barely present. But I’m sure fans of the style will still clamor for it’s old school, if forgettable charms. And it appears the band has had a bit of a stylistic shift , where they were more direct, nasty tits ‘n’ spikes black metal, but on these 11 songs there’s nothing that imbues that sleazy, satanic vibe. Even with song titles like “Lust … Sacrilege & Blood”, “Nocturnal Desire” or ” Elizabeth Needs Blood”. There’s just nothing beyond, fuzzy but somehow clear tremolo riffs  like  “Lucy’s Curse” or dull plods and canters like “Unholy Dimension”.

Unfortunately, even though fans of the genre might like this, i still think they would be a bit forced to really enjoy it of give it more than a passing listen.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments