Review: “Vs The World” by Poison The Preacher

Musing on themes of war, death, violence and low budged horror movies, Poison The Preacher are a four man crossover Thrash attack who hail from Bogotá Colombia. Rising to prominence with a quartet of waterfall released singles and a split EP with Psychomosher which showcase an eclectic mix of influences, the expectation of a debut album that has elements of Latin Rock, Jazz, Death Metal and Hardcore Punk in it has reached fever pitch. They’ve achieved a lot since they started out in 2021, including playing alongside such household names as Suffocation, Agnostic Front and In Flames, opening for Overkill at Rock al Parque 2023 in front of 70,000 people and touring Mexico and Ecuador…

A throwback to those early Metallica instrumentals, introduction piece “Future Tense” sets an eerie tone, a warning that something wicked this way comes before  Chris Ramos of Dead Heat lends his throat to opening track proper “Sucker Punch“. A mosh pit friendly hell raiser of classic Thrash riffs and gang choruses, it bleeds the fifth, admitting to influences from bands like Municipal Waste and Suicidal Tendencies as it tears down the white walls. Unapologetically increasing the intensity “Dying Every Day” features Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg and Earthburner fame. His Death Metal growls give this one more bark and bite, elevating the Crossover Thrash attack to a new realm of existence, the verve and swagger of the old school riffs making the band an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Bassist Thomas Lopez gets a moment in the limelight as he provides a clanky introduction to “1312” which finds the band changing gear and racing into Hardcore Punk in Spanish. A scorcher of a solo is a thing of beauty, the band not only proving that variety is the spice of life but living it with their attitude and approach, middle fingers raised in defiance all along the way. Like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, Poison The Preacher feel the need, the need for speed and blast their way through “Hate Too Much” at breakneck, circle pit friendly pace. Bursts of energy pop like carbonated drink bubbles on the tongue, the quartet not afraid to express themselves as they vent their rage.

The Latin elements come into play with the introduction to “Congelado en el Tiempo” (or “Frozen In Time“) as drummer Sergio Cortes and bassist Thomas Lopez get funky before axe wielding duo Juan Pablo and Juan Camilo launch into the bands trademark crossover Thrash attack. Once again in Spanish, this one has some tasteful lead playing as the band demonstrate once more they have the power to get a crowd to go wild. Arguably Pablo’s harshest vocal performance is on “Promise To Pay” where his death growls in the first half morph into the an absolute ripper of an extended whammy bar drop solo that raises the hairs on the back of the neck. Its a fierce display of adrenaline pumping energy that slaps you in the face before “One Man Army” flirts with Groove Metal, “Punishment” era Biohazard and “Loco” era Coal Chamber in a tip of the hat to their peers. Mixing up the riffs and tempos like that helps create a really interesting vibe without straying too far from the left hand path which the band usually find themselves on. Putting bounce in the mosh pit one last time “Us Against The World” becomes a classic act of defiance that bleeds Hardcore values with punchy, aggressive riffage and a some stompy downtempo moments. A mighty fine collection that does exactly what you’d expect it to and a lot more besides this one has lottery scratch card instant win appeal and is such a good time it will keep you coming back for more [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Future Tense
2. Sucker Punch (ft. Chris Ramos of Dead Heat)
3. Dying Every Day (ft. Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg, Earthburner)
4. 1312
5. Hate Too Much
6. Congelado en el Tiempo
7. Promise To Pay
8. One Man Army
9. Us Against The World

“Vs The World” by Poison The Preacher is out 23rd May 2025 via Seek & Strike Records