SPHINX
Deathstroke
(Diabolic Might Records)
32:32min

80s Speed / Thrash Metal is a style I really enjoy when done right. And I have always thought that the most honest approaches are the ones that stand out. And it is really rare to come across a new band that captures the sound and feeling of that specific era. Until now. After 4 demos and 3 live albums (?), “Deathstroke”, the debut from German power trio SPHINX, sent me back to 1985 right after the intro. I have no words to express the effect that this album had on me since that first listen, but let me try. First and foremost, the production. This sounds like it was meant to be. Dirty, raw and organic. The mix is punchy and clear although a tad muffled. Yet, every instrument is perfectly set in its dynamic range leaving the vocals right in your face and the “lo-fi” atmosphere adds a lot of character to the music. Performance wise, these 3 guys (who use pseudonyms, by the way) know exactly what they are doing. Drummer Bonebreaker does a phenomenal job keeping a steady tempo and adding excellent tom runs and use of cymbals. The drums blend splendidly with Aggressor’s blunt, yet tight bass lines and Terrorizer’s insane guitar riffs; tremolo picking, palm mutes, humongous open chords and tasty leads. The vocals are a perfect fit: mid to low pitched screams and roars. The word savage comes to mind when describing the high quality, neck breaking Speed / Thrash Metal that SPHINX delivers. 32 minutes of audio brutality which became too short for my liking and forced me to listen to the whole thing at least 5 times while I was writing this review. And I am sure that from now on “Deathstroke” will be a constant / mandatory listen for me. There are no fillers here. Every song is great! This is the ass kicking Speed / Thrash Metal album I have waited for some years now. It is not a new band trying to copy any other band, old or new. SPHINX have put out an instant classic of their own. I really cannot see any well respected Metal fan not digging “Deathstroke”. All I can say is that if you listen to this and you don’t like it, you are already dead. Contact the band here: www.facebook.com/sphinxspeed. And get this brilliant album here: www.facebook.com/diabolic-might-records-666-181543565542566

Alfonso Perez

Alfonso Perez

Related reviews / interviews:
SPHINX - Aggressions (Wedekind Gisbertson)

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