Evil – Possessed By Evil
Simply naming a band “Evil” gives two possible impressions; a rather criminal lack of imagination or a desire to get right to the point. With these Japanese blackened thrash metal maniacs it appears to be the latter and second full length “Possessed By Evil” ploughs into your ear holes like a deranged drunk driver through a shop window.
As soon as the opening instrumental gives way the first two real tracks, ‘Yaksa’ and ‘Revenge’ hit you in the face like two well timed jabs. Short, sweet and at breakneck speed, this is blackened thrash at its gnarly best. The vocals a combination of black metal rasp and an almost Halford-esque wail. This is broken up by the sampled thunderstorm at the start of ‘Raizen’ that provides a slightly more mid-paced affair before kicking back into the whirlwind battering. The lead guitar is hilariously reminiscent of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers theme, which may or may not be intentional, but is either way one of my favourite things about this release.
But therein lies the problem with “Possessed By Evil”, while it clearly has its tongue firmly in its cheek it straddles the fine line between cheekily humorous and outright parody. Everything is performed well enough, but there’s little to distinguish it from the other bands in the genre that it feels it’s churlishly making fun of. This is a minor gripe though, one that would be far more problematic if the music were at all poor in quality, but it isn’t, so it’s forgivable.
“Possessed By Evil” isn’t going to win any awards for originality and it’s likely going to be just another blackened thrash album to add to your collection that has a commendable sense of humour and self awareness. It’s a fun romp, but not one that will leave a huge lasting impression.
3 / 5 STARS
[embed]
As soon as the opening instrumental gives way the first two real tracks, ‘Yaksa’ and ‘Revenge’ hit you in the face like two well timed jabs. Short, sweet and at breakneck speed, this is blackened thrash at its gnarly best. The vocals a combination of black metal rasp and an almost Halford-esque wail. This is broken up by the sampled thunderstorm at the start of ‘Raizen’ that provides a slightly more mid-paced affair before kicking back into the whirlwind battering. The lead guitar is hilariously reminiscent of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers theme, which may or may not be intentional, but is either way one of my favourite things about this release.
But therein lies the problem with “Possessed By Evil”, while it clearly has its tongue firmly in its cheek it straddles the fine line between cheekily humorous and outright parody. Everything is performed well enough, but there’s little to distinguish it from the other bands in the genre that it feels it’s churlishly making fun of. This is a minor gripe though, one that would be far more problematic if the music were at all poor in quality, but it isn’t, so it’s forgivable.
“Possessed By Evil” isn’t going to win any awards for originality and it’s likely going to be just another blackened thrash album to add to your collection that has a commendable sense of humour and self awareness. It’s a fun romp, but not one that will leave a huge lasting impression.
3 / 5 STARS
[embed]
1. 六道輪廻 The Cycle Of Pain
2. 夜叉 Yaksa
3. 怨殺 Revenge
4. 雷神 Raizin
5. 般若波羅蜜多 Paramount Evil
6. 首斬り Reaper
7. 地獄の門 The Gate Of Hell
8. 歪な梵鐘 Hell's Evil Bells
9. 奈落の底 Bottom Of Hell
10. 閻魔天 Enmaten
11. 凶惡 Possessed By Evil
12. 惡鼻達磨 Evil Way Of Live
2. 夜叉 Yaksa
3. 怨殺 Revenge
4. 雷神 Raizin
5. 般若波羅蜜多 Paramount Evil
6. 首斬り Reaper
7. 地獄の門 The Gate Of Hell
8. 歪な梵鐘 Hell's Evil Bells
9. 奈落の底 Bottom Of Hell
10. 閻魔天 Enmaten
11. 凶惡 Possessed By Evil
12. 惡鼻達磨 Evil Way Of Live
