Emissary: “Eldritch” Album Review
Photo courtesy of The Metallist PR
Barcelona's thrash death metal outfit EMISSARY just unleashed their new album "Eldritch" upon unsuspecting ears, and the results are nothing short of a punishing, cosmic horror-infused assault.
Formed just over a year ago by Michel Regueiro (guitar/vocals) and Hlib Overchuk (drums), with Philip Graves joining on guitar in April 2024, this Spanish trio has crafted an impressive opening statement that harkens back to thrash's glory days while carving out their own niche in the modern extreme metal landscape. Their new full length album dropped on March 1st.
Cosmic Horror Unleashed
Album cover art: Alex Shadrin
From the moment "Eternity Bound" kicks off the album like "a pirate from Hell" storming the shores of your consciousness, it's clear that Emissary means business. The band's stated focus on cosmic horror themes provides the perfect backdrop for their relentless sonic barrage, with each of the eight tracks dragging listeners deeper into a labyrinth of shadowed realms where the unknown reigns supreme.
The album's production, handled by Jaume Perna and mixed at Moontower Studio by Javi Felez, strikes an effective balance between raw aggression and clarity, allowing the intricate guitar work and pummeling drums to shine through the murk. Haunting artwork by Alex Shadrin at Nether Temple Design perfectly complements the otherworldly atmosphere conjured by the music.
Thrash Till Death
"Door To The Mystical" delivers an immediate headbanging experience complete with an evil laugh, while "The Shadows Lengthen In Carcosa" feels like a natural continuation, guiding listeners toward "a lost realm" with hypnotic guitar solos. "At The Throne Of Chaos" brings a touch of early 90s nostalgia with its familiar-yet-fresh riffing approach.
"Hobbs End" provides a brief moment of melodic respite before plunging back into "steady thrash mode," showcasing the band's ability to balance ferocity with dynamics. "The Witchfinder Rides Again" charges forward like "a heavy metal army on hypothetical horses," closing with the vocalist's ominous warning: "Scream in vain, for I ride again!"
The album maintains its relentless pace through "Where The Silent Ones..." before concluding with "Ravening For Delight," a track that encapsulates everything that makes this record work - thunderous rhythms, blistering solos, and an unwavering commitment to keeping the mosh pit moving.
Old School Thrash with a Cosmic (and slightly comic) Twist
What's particularly refreshing about "Eldritch" is how it manages to evoke the spirit of classic thrash with pure fun, while infusing it with cosmic dread and death metal brutality. There's something reminiscent of a heavy metal fusion between Scatterbrain's punk attitude and Nuclear Assault's technical prowess - a comparison that might resonate with old-school thrashers looking for something familiar—and not so serious. There’s something to be missed from an era when attending metal shows was akin to a full on pleasure riot.
At just over 30 minutes, "Eldritch" doesn't overstay its welcome, making it a "binge-worthy listening experience of early, heavy metal fun." Each track flows seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive journey through Emissary's nightmarish vision. This is a mosh pit party, and and everyone’s invited to thrash, bang heads, and lose themselves in a whirlwind of pure old-school mayhem.
The Verdict
Eldritch is a thrash metal rollercoaster, blending influences from old-school thrash giants and showcasing a remarkable mosh-worthy focus. The album is eight tracks of unrelenting thrash and death metal dragging listeners into a swirling vortex of chaos, where sanity frays and forbidden truths lurk beneath the surface. Each song is a sonic tale, conjuring imagery of shadowed realms, unspeakable entities, and interdimensional nightmares.
If you're looking for modern extreme metal that honors the genre's roots while pushing into darker, more cosmic territory, Emissary's "Eldritch" demands your immediate attention.
