Review by Felix on December 8, 2023.

Maybe or surely or, to be honest, certainly I am pretty picky from time to time, but I do not understand why a thrash metal vocalist sings unswervingly about a “trash” metal fire. This is what happens here. Generally speaking, Adriano Perfetto is a good tHrash metal singer with a snotty voice, yet he is not as perfetto as he might think. But okay, let’s forget this annoying detail now. The debut of Deathgeist has a lot of positive aspects, at least for listeners like me who like boisterous thrash which loves to take the direct route. If you lend an ear to “Ghost of Torture”, a song whose straight and effective riffing can make your head band in a matter of seconds, you will surely begin to appreciate the approach of the Brazilians as well. Indeed, this track leaves a very good impression, but, and this is further good news, it is not alone in doing so.

The partly excellent “Death Razor”, for instance, scores with a very casual chorus which combines a rather unusual melody line with speedy riffs. It makes up for the slightly crooked polyphonic vocals in the bridge. The more or less flawless “Day of No Tomorrow” also delivers high-class riffs – and it goes without saying that it does not suffer from a lack of velocity. Generally speaking, Deathgeist know that thrash profits from a high average speed, but it is also absolutely clear that blast beats would not match with their old school style. The quartet from São Paulo loves the eighties, especially 1986, even though the dudes do not show their affinity for this time in a blatant manner. Only the tomtoms and the guitars at the beginning of “Where Evil Rules” reveal their love for the closer of “Reign in Blood”. (I know many debutants who have been shown their idols much more obvious.) By the way, “Where Evil Rules” possesses a great, catchy yet not sticky chorus. Great track!

Production-wise, somehow the album reminds me of Greek thrash releases, for example “Psychotic Paralysis” (Mortal Threat) or “Evoke the Pain” (Demon Prayers). “Deathgeist” shares with the aforementioned works the bone-dry sound. This no-frills-approach emphasizes the precision of the single musicians and the sharp, cutting appearance of the guitars that each and every thrash release needs if it does not want to fall on deaf ears. So there is almost nothing to complain here. Yes, people who are even more picky than me can moan about the fact that all songs lie in close proximity to each other. But come on, what is wrong with an early definition of your style? “Deathgeist” has been a really cool first step into business.

Rating: 8 out of 10