A new generation of thrash metal youngsters has risen from the ashes of a club of titans like Slayer, Exodus, Kreator and many more. Greek ambassadors supreme Suicidal Angels are one of the most jaw-dropping representatives of the injection of new blood. At the dawning of Spring, this four-piece of these energetic thrashers will release their eight studio album ‘Profane Prayer’ four years after their previous attack ‘Years Of Aggression’. It marks their return to the Nuclear Blast family. ‘It feels like homecoming’ confirms composer Nick Melissourgos (vocals, guitars) who started the band in 2001 when he was 16 years old.
After the brooding guitar intro, ‘When The Lions Die’ bursts out with ultra tight rhythms and euphonious guitar accents. The gravel-throated vocals of Nick are the dominating thrash metal factor. The angry assault of ‘Crypts Of Madness’ leads to the militaristic tight ‘Purified By Fire’. Epic grandness pops up in the lengthy ‘Deathstalker’ (about a specifically breed of scorpions) in which the Greek scene is united with additional vocals of Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ), Efthimis Karadimas (Nightfall) and even Fotis Benardo behind the mic. After this vocal eminence and epic riffs, we return to basic thrash grenades such as ‘The Return Of The Reaper’ and the rebellious ‘Virtues Of Destruction’.
Another remarkable proof of Suicidal Angels’ diversity is the closing track ‘The Fire Paths Of Fate’. Within nine minutes we are led through oriental, ethereal female chants and eastern instruments, while the metallic foundation returns to that mighty tightness of the band in the end. All invigorated with charming melodious leads of Gus Drax and the strict rhythm section of Angelos Lelikakis (bass) and Orfeas Tzortzopoulos (drums). There is a stable line-up now for almost a decade and nothing can stop this spirited team. Thrash icon Ed Repka was in charge for the cover artwork.
CD jewel case version
Tracklisting
1. When The Lions Die
2. Crypts of Madness
3. Purified By Fire
4. Deathstalker
6. Profane Prayer
7. The Return Of The Reaper
8. Guard Of The Insane
9. Virtues of Destruction
10. The Fire Paths Of Fate
