Black/Thrash Metal from Germany
Jewelcase CD with OBI
It was 2023’s Monoliths of Wrath where LUCIFUGE further spit-shined their sound and took it in a newer but no-less-parallel direction: classic, ripping-FAST thrash of ‘80s gods Sodom, Kreator, Exodus, and of course Slayer. Thankfully, LUCIFUGE keep that sonic shift going with their sixth full-length, Hexensabbat. Ditching more its predecessor’s complex song structures, Hexensabbat heaves toward the gates of Hell with a greasy gallop that brings back a bit of the black while honoring the nether-realms of still-stuck-in-the-‘80s thrash and speed metal. True, those aforementioned gods still hold a place in LUCIFUGE’s current sound, but more so can one detect the likes of Exciter, Razor, Iron Angel, and even later ‘80s Gang Green, the Exploited, and Crumbsuckers. Put another way, if Monoliths of Wrath was spiritually akin to a Combat Records release, then Hexensabbat would definitely come out on Combat Core, so straightforward and rancorous is its all-pistons-pumping surge. Plus, more than a bit of LUCIFUGE’s old-school grit is back in full force, which makes the album’s slightly melodic-yet-malevolent riffing sound majestic – and, most importantly, not render Hexensabbat a total retro retread.
1. Gates of the Eternal Night 03:53
2. Hexensabbat 02:50
3. The Court of the Profane 05:42
4. No Sun Shall Rise 03:28
5. Into Eternal Sleep 04:47
6. The Sign of Cain 03:21
7. An Oath of Blood and Fire 03:18
8. Enter the Realm of Darkness 04:18
9. They Come in Legions 04:01
10. Cursed to Eternity 05:07
11. The Destruction of the Sword 02:36
Total: 43:21
