Review: “Forged In Hatred” by Deathraiser

They say that good things come to those who wait but does that proverb ring true when it comes to Thrash Metal? There can be no argument that 2011’s debut “Violent Aggression” by Brazilian Thrash overlords Deathraiser is anything but a genre masterclass with influences from early Sepultura, Kreator and Dark Angel rising to the surface throughout but can a sophomore album fifteen years later have that same spark? Drummer William Fernandes, bassist Junior Gaetho and guitarist Ramon Bedim stand alongside their brother in arms in guitarist and vocalist Thiago Rocha in believing so, as does Spanish label Xtreem Music…

A classic 80’s horror film style introduction breaks the ice before Deathraiser race into classic old school Thrash riffs galore with “Severe Atrocity” with primal urgency. Galloping drums, barbed riffs and rumbling bass take us back to the bay circa 1983 with the kind of adrenalized sound and barked vocals that inspired the likes of Electrocutioner. The four piece have nailed the sound and atmospheric of the genres ancient evil like a corpse to a cross with “Primitive Medicine” having the kind of blistering solo delivered by calloused hands that leaves the fret-board smoking. A song with connotations of the act of trephination it finds Fernandes flirting with a couple of tribal drum fills as he summons demons to do the bands bidding. Who doesn’t love a whammy bar drop solo? The one at the start of “Everything Dies” is the crowning glory of a song that has barely escaped hells gate before the rasping vocals from Rocha rise the surface. A cut with a couple of lethal tempo changes in amongst the sinister chord progressions before another tasteful extended solo, this one confirms that Deathraiser still have what it takes to conquer kingdoms, even before the classy bass moment from Gaetho during the fade out. The surging rhythmic battery of “Corporation Parasite” is neck snappingly good, the tale of greedy multi-nationals draining humanity of its life blood for ill gotten gains as vitally important today as it was fourty five odd years ago at the inception of Thrash. What works well in the album is that a good number of the songs finish on the same note as the track that follows starts with “Empire of Ignorance” no exception. A cut that offers dovetailing riffs that offer the adrenaline rush of nosediving kamikaze pilots as well as some tasty bass rumblings, it’s another powerhouse performance which goes off like a car bomb. In truth there may not be much on this record that you haven’t heard before somewhere but its done so well that you can’t help but crack a smile and raise a poison chalice in acknowledgement of what Deathraiser have created.

Instrumental “Symphony of Violence” is a glorious moment that feels like it belongs to a scene of violence against zombies in a Robert Rodriguez movie, raising the hairs on the back of the neck as it flows through. You may feel like you’re suffering from whiplash by the time you reach “Toxic Legacy“, the politically charged and socially aware piece of audio violence a pointer to civil unrest. Resistance is futile when it comes to rampaging cuts like these, their addictive qualities ensuring the band are a force to be reckoned with and lets face it, they’re not maturing like a fine wine but growing old disgracefully. You only need to glance at the lyric sheet to know that the fire still burns in the hearts of the quartet and their scars still remain. Just when you thought you’d heard everything they had to offer with “One Step to the Grave” they increase the intensity dramatically, lowering their heads as they charge like an apex predator towards its intended prey. A whirlwind of percussive battery creates a tornado of souls, the verve and swagger of the guitars confirming that we all leave in a body bag. There was never going to be any remorse or repent contained within the confines of this album and so “Dead Generation” tears through the ear canals like a bloodthirsty parasite with meancing and sinister urgency. A vicious assault on the senses from the genres golden age, this angry anthem concludes the album in such style that you may well be left wondering if you’ve already heard the finest Thrash album of the year [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Severe Atrocity
2. Primitive Medicine
3. Everything Dies
4. Corporation Parasite
5. Empire of Ignorance
6. Symphony of Violence (Instrumental)
7. Toxic Legacy
8. One Step to the Grave
9. Dead Generation

“Forged In Hatred” by Deathraiser is out 22nd January 2026 via Xtreem Music and is available over at bandcamp.