Review: “Iron Baphomet” by Necrobeast

It is written upon ancient scrolls found in long forgotten tombs by those who see fortunes only to find plague and pestilence that twenty years ago in Valdivia Chile, Necrobeast was born under blackened skies. Creating sonic abrasions in Old School Blackened Thrash with lyrical narratives that muse on the nature of the cosmos, the depths of the human soul, the endless void of hell, time and death, and the ultimate war between the celestial powers, the beast grew strong. In 2006 a demo emerged in “El despertar de la Necrobestia” before a period of silence… then a pair of splits with Swedish Thrash Metal Maniacs Morphetik surfaced in 2020’s “Sacrilege” and 2022’s “Cult of Death“. Citing influences in Thrash and Black Metal from the likes of Bathory, Dissection, Sabbat and Atomic Aggressor, the next chapter is “Iron Baphomet“.

Recorded by Franco Escalona (Nightrage, Morphetik, Always War) in Uppsala, Sweden in 2025, the album was then mixed and mastered by Daniel “Kaio” Soto and Juan Enrique Escalona Arocha. It begins with “In Communion with Satan“, a Speed Metal cut reminiscent of the early works of bands like Bewitcher and Sadistic Force with distinctively old school, fast and loose feel. It’s as if it was recorded live in one take on the floor of the studio which is an impossibility as the project is a solo mission from a single protagonist, so how that has been achieved is mind blowing. The whammy bar solo will crack a smile, that Motorhead like energy seriously good fun before the air raid sirens of the apocalypse introduce “Promethean Flame“. Sinister riffs and caustic vocals that sound like nails on a chalk board keep the darkness at a tasteful level and while the drum sound isn’t particularly great, the actual kit performance is impressive from a multi instrumentalist of stature.

Things reach new levels of depravity with title track “Iron Baphomet” as the rampaging blackened riffs and accompanied by a few deeper, darker death growls, lightening bolts from a wrathful god flying in all directions. Another electrifying solo is masterfully done if short and sickly sweet, the timeless quality of these sounds meaning they could have been recorded at any point in the past forty years without anyone being any the wiser. Spitting and snarling from the offset “Blood Gods” feels like Megadeth playing a Black Sabbath cover in their rehearsal space in the mid 80’s, simple but lethally effective riffs bringing the headbangers to the yard. If you played it backwards no doubt there would be a hidden message but if Interplay Productions fancy remaking classic video game Rock n’ Roll Racing then this is a prime candidate for the soundtrack.

A track that originally appeared on that 2006 demo “The Awakening of the Necrobeast” feels like the bands manifesto song, an angry anthem of vicious intent that calls for Armageddon and church burning all along the way. This rendition is thirty seconds longer than the original but just as venomous, the Speed Metal riffs flowing with consummate ease from someone who has clearly been crafting this for decades. “Emissary of Death” is one that benefits from been distilled down to its very essence, making for a shorter, sharper and more refined piece. Electrifying chord changes delivered with poise and power make for a good time without the need to reinvent the wheel, the hummable tune a statement of intent.

Another older cut originating on the 2006 demo “From Hell” has also been extended by some thirty seconds while showing no slowing of the tempo of the damned. Laced with blast beats it almost reaches Blackened Hardcore Punk territory in the way the riffs have been put together, the solo a moment of madness with one take vibes. There are a couple of lines in the vocals that are forced but aren’t a cause for concern as the storytelling capabilities make up for the issue in style. The opening bars of “Jakten” make it sound like its going to evolve into some kind of biker bar anthem, however once the vocals start it goes the opposite way, the ominous blast beats increasing the intensity to turn the bonfire into a towering inferno. As an album “Iron Baphomet” has instant appeal in familiarity, it’s low budget horror movie like tales all good, listenable fun [7/10]

1. In Communion with Satan
2. Promethean Flame
3. Iron Baphomet
4. Blood Gods
5. The Awakening of the Necrobeast
6. Emissary of Death
7. From Hell
8. Jakten

“Iron Baphomet” by Necrobeast is out 25th May 2026 and is available over at bandcamp