Schafott – The Black Flame
Relative German newcomers Schafott, with one demo from 2014, have a crushing debut that sets the benchmark for their subsequent releases at a considerable height as the album begins with a stripped back intro of what listens like backward messaging before being phased out with a melodic guitar drive that links into 'Ostara' and immediately you are assailed by a stripped back thrash metal like riffing structure harking back to the 80s yet maintaining a fresh approach refraining to step on the well-worn paths of previous bands. The high velocity riffing coupled to the snapping drum work is frenetic but controlled as the title track follows, a more involved song that flows cohesively starting with a caustic riff. The fluxing tempo changes are effortlessly done creating a fluid song with plenty of superb riff changes and great bass hooks something this album has in absolute reams.
As riff loaded as this album is the variation within the songs is excellent with ambitious song writing unafraid to branch into epic tracks such as 'Azazael’s Dream' which has a mountain of riffs and a plethora of tempo changes including dropping into a doom like section as the song possesses some fine lead work. 'Total Cleansing', which appeared on the demo, starts like a gnarled up version of the Judas Priest song 'Freewheel Burning', before unleashing a staggering speed metal styled riff. The song is borderline heavy metal in places before unveiling a very cool bass hook and accompanying drums as the song lays waste with a fine lead break if a little too short.
Calming things is 'By The Lust Of The Witch' beginning with a fine bass intro the song has a sinister feel initially especially with the guitar that is deployed linked to the slow double bass. The atmosphere on this album is excellent as each track is uniquely identifiable, something you often find remiss these days as the song suddenly changes tack by delivering an ice shard riff into your spine with devastating consequences and rocketing the pace. Also re-recorded from the demo is 'Satan’s Throne', an outright thug of a song, ferocious and packed with riffs the song has tangential tempo changes that work superbly maintaining momentum leaving the album to close with the epic 'Sow The Salt' which surpasses the seven minute barrier and as I said earlier the bands song writing prowess is formidable. Beginning slowly the mood of the song is gloomy initially before the riff change and obvious increase in pace, as the vocals possess that blackened harshness, a demonic echoing that works to add another dimension to the aura the album possesses. The track swerves from one riff to another with fluidised pace changes making the song constantly evolving and inherently dynamic.
For a debut this is monumental and whilst it’s tempting to give this an exalted maximum five points I am absolutely positive the band has a lot more to offer as this album is utterly staggering and an essential purchase for all black thrashers and to a certain degree thrash metallers too.
As riff loaded as this album is the variation within the songs is excellent with ambitious song writing unafraid to branch into epic tracks such as 'Azazael’s Dream' which has a mountain of riffs and a plethora of tempo changes including dropping into a doom like section as the song possesses some fine lead work. 'Total Cleansing', which appeared on the demo, starts like a gnarled up version of the Judas Priest song 'Freewheel Burning', before unleashing a staggering speed metal styled riff. The song is borderline heavy metal in places before unveiling a very cool bass hook and accompanying drums as the song lays waste with a fine lead break if a little too short.
Calming things is 'By The Lust Of The Witch' beginning with a fine bass intro the song has a sinister feel initially especially with the guitar that is deployed linked to the slow double bass. The atmosphere on this album is excellent as each track is uniquely identifiable, something you often find remiss these days as the song suddenly changes tack by delivering an ice shard riff into your spine with devastating consequences and rocketing the pace. Also re-recorded from the demo is 'Satan’s Throne', an outright thug of a song, ferocious and packed with riffs the song has tangential tempo changes that work superbly maintaining momentum leaving the album to close with the epic 'Sow The Salt' which surpasses the seven minute barrier and as I said earlier the bands song writing prowess is formidable. Beginning slowly the mood of the song is gloomy initially before the riff change and obvious increase in pace, as the vocals possess that blackened harshness, a demonic echoing that works to add another dimension to the aura the album possesses. The track swerves from one riff to another with fluidised pace changes making the song constantly evolving and inherently dynamic.
For a debut this is monumental and whilst it’s tempting to give this an exalted maximum five points I am absolutely positive the band has a lot more to offer as this album is utterly staggering and an essential purchase for all black thrashers and to a certain degree thrash metallers too.
- Conflagration
- Ostara
- The Black Flame
- Azazael's Dream
- Eucharistic Birth
- Total Cleansing
- By The Lust Of The Witch
- Satan's Throne
- Sow The Salt
