Nekromantheon - Visions of Trismegistos (2021)^{Release ID: 27488}

Rise, Vulcan Spectre was an absolute blast.  As a sophomore album it delivered exactly what it was supposed to, building on the consistency of the debut album nicely and offering the promise of more blackened thrashing madness. Good news is that The Visions of Trismegistos fucking rips also, continuing this trend for scathing and downright evil thrash metal done with absolutely zero fucking frills.

Nekromantheon occupy the same space as Condor, Deathhammer and Inculter in terms of modern thrash metal references.  Bands who all continue to forge a bloody and unrelenting path for the future of the thrash metal genre.  This is a style of metal that I find suffers from a lack genuine attack on most modern releases that promise more of a revival of the 80's as opposed to any balls to the wall intensity.  What Nekromantheon also manage to do is give me the nostalgia value of the more vicious old school bands like Morbid Saint, Dark Angel, (early) Slayer and a tinge of Possessed too.

Of course the fact that two members of death metal monsters Obilteration occupy guitar, bass and vocal duties between them and former Deathhammer (live) drummer Christian "Kick" Holm occupies the space behind the skins is a massive help to how strong the band sound and how imposing they manage to make their sound.  This might not be polished stuff but fuck me it is well constructed and played with obvious passion.  There is a burning intensity to what Nekromantheon do; a feeling that they are putting everything into every track whether you like it or not.

There are even bits of variety thrown in as they truly capture the mythological aspect to their song content in the very climate of the album itself.  It is not however partial to any eccentric or unnecessary atmospherics and is an album that is content most of the time to let the filthy blackened edges to those riffs and vocals do the heavy lifting as they slash at and spit in your face.  This almost nonchalant arrogance is perfectly acceptable and I cannot stop coming back for more.  Vinyl copy ordered.   

Nekromantheon are a Norwegian three-piece who play aggressive thrash metal. Two of the three are also members of death metal outfit Obliteration and their death metal experience certainly adds bite to their thrashing. The production of Visions of Trismegistos is such that there is an emphasis on the top end at the expense of the bass which makes for a black metal-ish sound. Don't misunderstand, this is absolutely out and out thrash metal, but it is informed by other forms of extreme metal which adds to the savagery of their aural assault. Lyrically the band are all about the fertile territory of greek mythology and it's striking imagery which takes life in the form of rampant riffing, crashing cymbals and searing guitar soloing. Vocals are of the Tom Araya / Mille Petrozza raggedly savage style that the most aggressive thrashers (rightfully) love to employ.
Visions of Trismegistos, in cohort with Steel Bearing Hand's Slay in Hell, have managed to convince me that it's now a good time to talk about thrash metal again. Maybe a post-pandemic world needs a proper thrash revival and if these two albums are anything to go by maybe it's time has come at last.