Artist: Whipstriker
Country: Brazil
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Formats: LP / Cassette Tape / CD
Year: 2025
Although Whipstriker feels like they are around since forever, ‘Cry Of Extinction’ is only the band’s fifth full-length album. Their tendency to bombard our senses (and wallets) with huge amounts of split releases is probably to credit for the idea that Whipstriker is actually ever-present. In fact, it is almost impossible for the true follower of underground metal to not own or at least heard some of this Brazilian band’s material. Whipstriker’s easy-come-easy-go sort of Heavy/Speed Metal with some hints of classic first wave Black Metal should basically appeal to everyone…
Or is it? Personally I am big time into 80’s Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal and early Black Metal, but for some reason Whipstriker never did much to me. I do own a few of their split releases, that is also how I first got into the band, through the split LP with Power From Hell, but it was not love at first sight and it didn’t grow much on me either.
But why? There’s some decent playing, catchy choruses and leads, a raw but not too harsh production, near-perfect aesthetics… Maybe it is the vocals of Victor “Whipstriker” Vasconcellos that always felt as if he wasn’t dedicated enough? ‘Cry Of Extinction’ is another example of what I would call a typical Whipstriker record: it doesn’t hurt listening to it, but just isn’t able to keep me interested for the full duration of the record.
Musically not much has changed since the last couple of recordings, it is still basically Motörhead and early Exodus with some Bulldozer and up-tempo Punky rhythms. The only thing that sets contemporary Whipstriker apart from what they did around their start is that the production is much better. Consequently, ‘Cry Of Extinction’ fits seamlessly well to what Midnight has brought to the table with their last, say, three records. Possibly Whipstriker wants to get a piece of the American’s great success, but it remains to be seen whether they will manage to do so with this album. Especially during the slower songs, attention tends to wane quite a bit. The faster songs are clearly more interesting, but as a whole it is apparent that everything sounds very neat and clean. Not only the riffs and production, but especially the leads, which are almost as pristine as those of Bon Jovi or Slash (but not as good). Something that is contrary to the image the band likes to project.
Although I would love to judge differently, Whipstriker didn’t change my mind with ‘Cry Of Extinction’. Again, playing this album a couple of times didn’t really annoy, but it is abundantly clear that youthful bands like Phantom and Hellcrash have so much more to offer so early in their still young careers.
