Review by Fernando on December 11, 2022.

When it comes to black/thrash, Sweden is usually a safe bet to find some quality bands. Being the country where Bathory spawned from certainly helps, and while most would point to Nifelheim, there are some truly wicked young and hungry bands, as is the case with Sulfuric and their debut record Into The Darkness.

The band market themselves as “oldschool” and “unpolished” metal, and they certainly embody and live up to those descriptors. This is pure, uncut, uncompromising and unfiltered thrash metal, with blackened vocals and imagery, and while there can be a legit complaint about whether or not the band’s music is at best a pastiche, and a worst a recreation of Bathory riffs and Sodom speed, and there is no denying about all the tricks and elements the band do in fact do here that are blatant and unsubtle. The band actually managed to use all those tried and true tropes and tricks without just being fetishists of old school thrash metal. A key aspect where the band truly separate themselves from most blackened thrash bands, is their overt punk tendencies. When it comes to blackened thrash, most bands just take black metal and focus more on riffs, speed and being more technical with their instrumentation, other bands just play standard thrash and add blackened vocals, Sulfuric on the other hand, play up the punk melodies and even grooves and use black metal as a rounding seasoning, which also gives the music an obscure atmosphere, and without discarding the sense of energy.
Furthermore, the band also display an excellent understanding of this style of metal, and technical prowess. Band members, individually and as a whole unit are very proficient musicians, they can be as savage and aggressive as the best, but they also know how to dial back the intensity when needed, as well as displaying more than just riffs and frenzied solos, and this is where Sulfuric are truly exemplary black/thrash, they play raw and straightforward thrash, with no frills or deviations, yet they add technical proficiency, and adherence to the DIY metal ethos of the 80’s as a contrast to the savagery.

Finally, the band also added that balance of old school devotion and technical excellence on the production, since they play unapologetic thrash in pure 80’s fashion, the band also included a very professional and even clean production sound, however I want to stress that when I say “clean” sound, I mean 80’s thrash “clean” sound, as all the instruments are audible and don’t overpower each other, but also, the sound is very natural and vintage. The production is akin to Slayer’s "Reign In Blood", its sufficiently polished to be considered professional, but its not devoid of grit, and the final product sounds as heavy and intense as it should.

Overall Sulfuric truly delivered on their promise of pure old school and unpolished metal, with no filler whatsoever, just a ripping good time. While this type of music tends to be a bit monotonous, Sulfuric keeps things varied enough within their lane, and are consistently enjoyable for me to highly recommend this one, so crack up some beers and get ready to mosh.

Best tracks: 'Hemophiliac', 'Into The Darkness', 'Horseback Battle Warrior', 'R.O.D (Rebels of Darkness)'

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Fernando on December 11, 2022.

When it comes to black/thrash, Sweden is usually a safe bet to find some quality bands. Being the country where Bathory spawned from certainly helps, and while most would point to Nifelheim, there are some truly wicked young and hungry bands, as is the case with Sulfuric and their debut record Into The Darkness.

The band market themselves as “oldschool” and “unpolished” metal, and they certainly embody and live up to those descriptors. This is pure, uncut, uncompromising and unfiltered thrash metal, with blackened vocals and imagery, and while there can be a legit complaint about whether or not the band’s music is at best a pastiche, and a worst a recreation of Bathory riffs and Sodom speed, and there is no denying about all the tricks and elements the band do in fact do here that are blatant and unsubtle. The band actually managed to use all those tried and true tropes and tricks without just being fetishists of old school thrash metal. A key aspect where the band truly separate themselves from most blackened thrash bands, is their overt punk tendencies. When it comes to blackened thrash, most bands just take black metal and focus more on riffs, speed and being more technical with their instrumentation, other bands just play standard thrash and add blackened vocals, Sulfuric on the other hand, play up the punk melodies and even grooves and use black metal as a rounding seasoning, which also gives the music an obscure atmosphere, and without discarding the sense of energy.
Furthermore, the band also display an excellent understanding of this style of metal, and technical prowess. Band members, individually and as a whole unit are very proficient musicians, they can be as savage and aggressive as the best, but they also know how to dial back the intensity when needed, as well as displaying more than just riffs and frenzied solos, and this is where Sulfuric are truly exemplary black/thrash, they play raw and straightforward thrash, with no frills or deviations, yet they add technical proficiency, and adherence to the DIY metal ethos of the 80’s as a contrast to the savagery.

Finally, the band also added that balance of old school devotion and technical excellence on the production, since they play unapologetic thrash in pure 80’s fashion, the band also included a very professional and even clean production sound, however I want to stress that when I say “clean” sound, I mean 80’s thrash “clean” sound, as all the instruments are audible and don’t overpower each other, but also, the sound is very natural and vintage. The production is akin to Slayer’s "Reign In Blood", its sufficiently polished to be considered professional, but its not devoid of grit, and the final product sounds as heavy and intense as it should.

Overall Sulfuric truly delivered on their promise of pure old school and unpolished metal, with no filler whatsoever, just a ripping good time. While this type of music tends to be a bit monotonous, Sulfuric keeps things varied enough within their lane, and are consistently enjoyable for me to highly recommend this one, so crack up some beers and get ready to mosh.

Best tracks: 'Hemophiliac', 'Into The Darkness', 'Horseback Battle Warrior', 'R.O.D (Rebels of Darkness)'

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Krys on July 18, 2002.

Right on the heels of their 2001 debut “Manifest Of Hate”, The Forsaken comes back with the monstrous “Arts of Desolation”, taking their trade one step further in combining melody with thrash and brutal death metal. Without the original bass player Michael Hakansson, who decided to focus on Evergrey, this Swedish quartet recorded an album that is the most complete fusion of Swedish melody and American brutal death metal I’ve had the pleasure to lay my ears on.

Combining the Scandinavian sound (post At The Gates era) with brutal death riffs and the aggression of old school thrashers, The Forsaken will satisfy a big chunk of today’s extreme music fanatics. Guitar duo of Stefan Holm and Patrik Persson (who also handless bass) molest their instruments in any possible way known to a modern guitarist. Filled with masterful guitar work, solos, rhythm changes and their technically superior skills shine not only in the way they handle their axes but also with how much ease and tact they go from one style to another. While pounding your head to the ground with dark testaments to the inspiration of Morbid Angel like ‘Dethroned’ or ‘Injected Terror’ they’ll start chopping trashy riffs with so much aggression and precision that an older generation of metallers might drop a shed a tear in nostalgic convulsions.

While lead by skilled twin guitars “Arts of Desolation” is a heaven for any guitar freak I would commit an unforgivable mistake not mentioning the human machine behind the drum kit. Merciless pounding by Nicke Grabowski is not only based on speed but on an unlimited number of rhythm changes and outstanding musical tact that gives more identity to each song. Adding to complete picture is vocalist Anders Sjoholm who goes from infernal guttural vocals to throat screams and anything in between with so much ease you might think there’s definitely more than one vocalist in this band.

And just for sake of a little bitching at the end I would love to hear more of all those elements integrated in every track rather than concentrating on one style in one song and playing the next song in another. I believe The Forsaken is able to achieve this perfect mix on their next album but till then enjoy one of the best albums of this year.

Bottom Line: “Arts of Desolation” is just few steps from a masterpiece and unless you’re are not in an excellent health condition hide your head between your legs and wait for mammy because those insane Swedes went through my room like tornado and nothing seems to be the same anymore.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10