For the past twenty two years Brazilian Grindcore band Facada (or “Stab” in English) have been treading the boards with everyone from Napalm Death to Cannibal Corpse and even Testament at various festivals while churning out what they describe as music which is “Simple. Fast, heavy, raw, without experimentation, without frills, without sonic trips, without hype and without joy“. Their discography comprises five full length albums, four splits (with Stheno, Agorhy, Baga, Arame and Rot) and three demos but their last recorded confession was three years ago. The wait is over. Co-produced by Vanessa Almeida and drummer Vicente Ferreira (Ankerkeria, Godtoth, Jack the Joker) , who later mixed and mastered “Truculence” was recorded at VTM and VOID Studios and is adorned by cover art from Everton Silva, who previously did their 2013 album “Nadir“. Ferreira is of course joined by bassist vocalist Carlos James (Godtoth, Negative Summer) and guitarists Danyel Noir (Godtoth, ex-Monge, Ariel Void) and Ari Almeida ( ex-Diagnose, ex-Evil Spirit)…
Ominousv almost melancholic sounds rise from the grave for a few seconds before the eardrums become subjected to Armageddon as “Truculence” explodes like a Molotov cocktail. A bomb blast of frantic and furious drumming rampages through the skull accompanied by razor sharp riffs with an off kilter solo for good measure. James roars his way through the lyric sheet like a man possessed and you know almost immediately that the flames of passion and rage still burn within their souls despite years gone by. “Irreversible” has a little Hardcore Punk to it as does the sonic death punch that is “Longing Never Ends“, designed for two step action in the mosh pit and the very definition of what Max Cavalera meant when he said “It feels good to be a punk loser!”. While everything is performed with enough beats per minute to cause palpitations, anxiety and dehydration the band prove they can do atmosphere in Grindcore with the somber tones of “Bleeding Concrete“. Who knew that was even possible in 52 seconds? Returning something more bludgeoning “Primitive Regression” feels like being trapped in a pretty hate machine that stabs you fifty seven times before leaving you bleeding out on the floor… and yet it has a haunting few seconds of ambient sounds to send a horror movie style chill down the spine…
Blink and you’ll miss it because the buzzsaw riffs of “Maybe Never” are as frantic as they come, a few almost tribal drum patterns thrown in for good measure. James vocals are both visceral and guttural as he splits blood over these Crust Punk infused Death Metal tracks, the bands sound refined and redefined over decades in order that every song hits like a laser guided missile, destroying the target within seconds. There is a bit of Black ‘n Roll swagger to “Will Deliver” before Ferreira decimates the weak, his full throttle kit work so immense that it gives the likes of Gene Hoglan a run for his money. It’s like fire and brimstone as each bomb blast goes off, the shrapnel flying through the air before the violent turbulence of “I Said So” gets the chance to get going. Is it political? Is it socially aware? of course and none more so than “Lie, Deceive, Manipulate” during which James destroys his larynx with blood curdling screams because this one means so much more. You can hear the rage filled venom in his voice and that doesn’t stop as the conjoined twins of “Dwyer” and “Close Your Eyes and Contemplate” smash the mirror and the clock in fear. Its mind blowing to think about how this hellishness was conceived but every single note has been written within the shadow of intent. The final track feels like an ode to Italian Death Metal stalwarts Fulci or their side project TV Crimes as it returns to the horror movie ambiance, sounding like it belongs to the soundtrack to “The Shining” by Stanley Kubrick. There is so much going on hear, all at breakneck pace so be warned… [8/10]
Track Listing
1. Truculence
2. Irreversible (Irreversível)
3. Longing Never Ends (Saudade nao acaba)
4. Bleeding Concrete (Sangrando concreto)
5. Primitive Regression (Regressao Primitiva)
6. Maybe Never (Talvez nunca)
7. Don’t Sleep, Never Wake (Nao dormir, nunca acordar)
8. Will Deliver (Vai entregar)
9. I Said So (Bem que eu disse)
10. Lie, Deceive, Manipulate (Mente, engana, manipula)
11. João
12. Dwyer
13. Close Your Eyes and Contemplate (Feche os olhos e contemple)
“Truculence” by Facada is out 10th October 2025 via Black Hole Productions and is available over at bandcamp
