MEPHISTO “Metal of Death” (CD, Bestial Burst Records 2005)
The opening movie sample on “Zombie Terror”, track number two for those keeping score at home, of gut munching and that beyond awesome, high pitched scream right out of the 80’s had me hooked like a fish. Do they have quality music to back the window dressing? Oh Lucifer I invoke thee, the dark prince raises a spiked hoof and proclaims “God be cursed, Mephisto knows how make me headbang!” Speaking of Satan, there is very little doubt Mephisto musically worship at the black magic altar of Venom!! Hell, they even wear the influence on their sleeves by closing with the richly titled inside nudge “Again At War With Satan [Introduction]”, it is a short brutal little ditty incorporating the song title in the lyrics and a nice little “Teachers Pet” guitar run, among others, for nostalgic value. I only hope I am not making Mephisto out to be some kind of un-serious band because they make stone cold sober black metal of the thrash ‘n death variety. These Italians do have a knack for writing that old loose style, most of these plastic (i.e. – Pro Tool cheatin’) bands would shake their head and call it sloppy, but no this is the way real bands play, this is the way metal is supposed to be fucking played, ‘Metal of Death’ indeed. The drums are so “Welcome To Hell / Black Metal” sounding it almost hurts and other influences, speaking in a much more general arena would be Sodom, Bulldozer and Slaughter swim through my brain. The vocals sound so familiar as well but I will damned if I can remember who, the closest I can seem to come is Hellhammer with early Bathory with a dash of Cronos and something else I just cannot put my finger upon. How does Bestial Burst keep finding these maniac bands?! I must confess this album has an atmosphere and feeling to it that I have not felt in a new band in many years. Buy this now or I might interview and then you will be sorry you waited later.
Tags: Bestial Burst Records, cd, Mephisto, metal of death, review
