Artist: HellAvenger
Country: Chile
Label: Death Division Rituals / Destruktion Records / Dynamite Records / El Abismo / Holycaust Records
Formats: LP / Cassette Tape / CD
Year: 2024
‘The Primordial Fire’, the debut full-length of this Santiago, Chile based Black/Thrash Metal band is not exactly new. The first edition were already released about a year ago, but entire range of editions included versions on all formats released through various labels from both South America and Europe. The last piece of the puzzle, at least, I assume it is the last one, was the European vinyl edition released by Destruktion Records and Dynamite Records at the end of last year. So, while many of you might have already scored another version of the records or at least heard it through YouTube or Bandcamp, I was a little late to the party with only my recent acquisition of this piece of black vinyl.
But if you, like me, happen to be a little late to jump on this Black/Thrashing train, you can rest assured. I don’t mean you are not missing anything worthwhile, but the music of these four blokes is pretty much timeless. In fact, this record could have been made back in the late 80’s but also in the 00’s. There’s literally nothing on ‘The Primordial Fire’ that you haven’t heard before. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was exactly the way it was intended.
The title of this record is pretty well-chosen, as it feels like that spark that lit the primordial fire of Extreme Metal. Born out of the minds of a few, mostly German, youngsters that started to blend almost punk-ish proto-Thrash Metal with lots of semi-flashy Heavy Metal leads and the satanic imagery and musical ferocity of Venom. The result is something that falls along the same lines as bands like Onslaught, Exumer, Iron Angel, early Slayer, Kreator and Sodom. The album balances nicely on the verge of the different genres and styles, basically harkening back to those times of yore in which there wasn’t such a segregated metal scene and everything was just called Extreme Metal or even Black Metal or Thrash Metal. It used to be easier and more manageable.
Although ‘The Primordial Fire’ is mainly a regressive affair, looking back at the golden years of 80’s metal, some tracks do also remind of Deströyer 666’s penchant for catchy melodies. For example, take a listen to the rather long, epic and melodic closing track that has some captivating melodies that wouldn’t be out of place on any of the records of Deströyer 666’s back catalogue. Also the way HellAvenger pushes the pace and go all out into Thrash Metal, including blasting drums and fiery riffs, they do remind of the more melodic kind of slightly more modern Black/Thrash Metal bands. So, it’s melodic, it’s fast, it’s catchy, it’s well-composed… The vast experience of this foursome as current and former members of Force Of Darkness, Ceremonial, Communion among others, definitely shines through in every aspect of this debut album.
But, as a whole, ‘The Primordial Fire’ brings you just what the title already suggested. It is a record that will appeal to fans of many subgenres of the Extreme Metal firmament; whatever floats your boat, you’ll get your party started with this record. An uncomplicated, no-nonsense and thoroughly fun record that wouldn’t be out of place in many of your collections and with a wide selection of editions and labels, it shouldn’t be too hard to pick one up.
