Mutilator
Immortal Force

Why are Brazilians so pissed off? Perhaps that's the right question to ask when you come across these works. You certainly can't say that Brazilian Metalheads have all agreed together, yet they have something that sets them apart from everyone else. Even for a habitual taster of Classic Metal or good American Thrash, these South Americans would be too brash for the ear, too "noisy" (allow me the term) to be appreciated. In a way, we have to thank Cogumelo Records, probably the only true label promoting such works, if today we "junk people who love filth" can stumble upon such sepulchral creations.

And we also have to thank, even before the only truly established Sepultura, the Ratos De Porão, who, by bringing Brazilian Hardcore Punk to the highest levels in the early 80s, laid the stylistic foundations for all the extreme bands born in those lands in the second half of the decade we so adored. Thanks to these elements, today the Brazilian Death/Thrash scene is considered one of the most important, even though you hardly hear any names other than Sepultura from the mouths of average extreme Metal listeners. Only the band of the Cavalera brothers has managed to stand out from all the others; this has been possible, in my opinion, both thanks to the fortune of being considered by the more famous label Roadrunner Records and their adaptability to more "marketable" sounds over time (I only mention, and avoid discussing, the period from Roots until Max's departure). I don't think that if they had maintained the style of Morbid Visions until the end, or at least their golden period, they would have achieved such success; quite the opposite, they would have remained on the same level as their compatriots.

If we have already seen examples of very raw Thrash Metal fused with primal Death in the more established German scene, just move west to cities like Belo Horizonte or São Paulo to discover true ferocity turned into music. Groups of wild-haired teenagers, studded and with large cartridge belts; eager to continue the "bad" path already traced by Venom and early Slayer, proposing it all with an even more malicious, raw, and decidedly faster attitude. We can safely add that Brazilian Thrash Metal was indirectly responsible for the birth of Death Metal, since any member of a Death band will always cite Reign In Blood, Seven Churches, or Pleasure To Kill among their influences, rather than albums like Abominable Anno Domini (Chakal) or this Immortal Force...

Originally called "Desaster", the band in question changed their name to Mutilator shortly before releasing their debut demo. In 1986, they participated in a split with Sarcófago, Chakal, and Holocausto, known as Warfare Noise I, (later, in 1988, a second part, Warfare Noise II, would be released with other bands), which I highly recommend listening to. Immortal Force was released in 1987, obviously by Cogumelo Records.

I would like to analyze this album both according to my personal and subjective view and an objective one. Personally, I love this album, perhaps because I've been into Thrash for quite a while now and so I could consider masterpieces albums from practically unknown bands that might always offer the same "reheated meal". In fact, as things stand, this album is not a masterpiece, because many of you will probably say: - But it's cool, it's cool, but it's stuff we've heard thousands of times before! Or: - Too canonical, it has nothing innovative! Now my question is this: - How the hell can you be canonical in 1987? If you think that Thrash was only a few years old, it seems impossible to compare Mutilator to Violator or Municipal Waste (the true canons). So, don't expect an innovative album like Killing Technology by Voivod or Think This by Toxik; expect a massacre, a sonic carnage of almost forty minutes that will leave every self-respecting Thrasher maniac breathless.

Immortal Force fully embraces the style of Morbid Visions but also closely resembles Campo De Exterminio by Holocausto or Simoniacal by MX, and obviously Slayer's Hell Awaits. It is a raw work, primitive, caveman primordial stuff (all positive adjectives, of course: Yum!). It's not even an album that's easy to digest, as the 9 songs are all very similar to each other (not necessarily a negative factor) and don't boast many elements that simplify listening or allow one to distinguish one track from another. This is the main reason I can't do the usual track by track analysis, it's difficult even for me who has listened to it many times, which is why I find it easier to consider the album as a whole. I can talk in general about the tracks that left the biggest impression on me, such as the opener Memorial Stone Without A Name, which is also the longest track on the full-length. It begins with a series of "rusty" and cadenced riffs that keep the listener on edge, until, after the first minute, the massacre begins. Drummer Rodrigo Neves’ style is hammering and still a bit immature; it would vaguely remind one of Igor Cavalera who, in Morbid Visions, beat his skins wildly. In the track Butcher, the true devastation comes; one of the best pieces of the full-length: Insane and very fast drums, crazy riffs, madman-like vocals (note the chorus: “Baccia... baccia”). On the two axes, we find Alexander “Magoo” (R.I.P.) and Kleber, who is also the vocalist. As I stated before, the album's style is primitive, so don't expect two exceptional guitarists (considering their young age as well), but who can still delight your ears with brutal riffs and sick solos à la Reign In Blood. Another point in favor of this work is Kleber's voice, more of an animalistic shout than singing, which fits very well with the proposed sound; a sepulchral, malignant voice almost coming from the underworld. A major flaw is the bass, played by Ricardo Neves (Rodrigo's brother), which, due to the poor recording quality, is almost non-existent.

The classic Palm Muting on E opens Brigade Of Hate, another of my preferred tracks, even if it sticks with the style of the previous songs: violence upon violence. The final trio is the filthiest one can compose: the title track, killer song like never before, Tormented Soul, very fast, which slows down only halfway through the track, and Paranoiac Command, which, in my opinion, is one of the best songs on the album, with an "engaged" text condemning war.

Many of you might find this full-length a bit monotonous, since, as I said, the songs all resemble one another more or less, so listen to it only if you are true enthusiasts and do not disdain ultra-raw productions. Stay away from this gem if instead, you think the quality of an album depends solely on how excellent the recording is, you wouldn't find anything for your tastes.

Enjoy the violence...