Review THE TROOPS OF DOOM ‘Antichrist Reborn’

One of the most exciting newcomers in 2022 comes from Brazil. The Troops Of Doom is the moniker of a band that premiers this year with an album called ‘Antichrist Reborn’. The one or the other might be reminded of a song from the first Sepultura album, ‘Troops of Doom’, and the parallel isn’t coincident. The guitarist on ‘Morbid Visions’ is Jairo Guedz, who is also the brain behind The Troops Of Doom.

Next to Guedz, the band also includes bassist/vocalist Alex Kafer (Enterro, Explicit Hate, ex-Necromancer), drummer Alexandre Oliveira (Southern Blacklist, Raising Conviction), and guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis, and acclaimed graphic artist for the likes of Slayer, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and Hatebreed).

The quartet launched already a few singles and has two EPs under their belt. Now it is time for a full-length debut and here it is. ‚Antichrist Reborn‘ features ten songs of raw and savage metal. What strikes right away is the immense power the band spreads already through the opener ‘Dethroned Messiah’. It’s a mammoth riff that kicks off the song, an aggressive thrash metal inferno without compromises. There is no way of smoothly sliding into this album. The Troops Of Doom kicks you into the death-/thrash metal assault.

A high pace is the base for many of the songs on this album. The Troops Of Doom are playing very fast but not at any cost. The quartet is always in control of what they are doing which means that they musically never get ahead of themselves.

The sound of the early Sepultura is certainly present on this album as well as there are references to the mighty Kreator (‘The Rebellion’). Still there is enough of an own identity to make the longplayer to a special one. Although referring to the heydays of thrash metal, the quartet produced an album that sounds energetic and fresh. The dusts of history are not more than an inspiration in the background and the base for the today.

The entire spectrum of The Troops Of Doom is reflected in ‘Preacher’s Paradox’. The closer starts slower with a very solid headbanger riff and cleverly integrated melodies, which create a sinister atmosphere. A stellar break changes the scenery and the band shifts gears. The song gains speed without ending up in rudderless fury. Also to mention the grooving middle section that completes a very positive view on song and album.

‘Antichrist Reborn’ is an excellent debut and I guess one of the strongest ones in 2022. The Troops Of Doom has everything in place which a great thrash metal album needs to have. This album is an unstoppable force.