Mages Terror is a blackened thrash band from Australia; after releasing a demo in 2023, the band has unleashed “Damnation’s Sight,” their full-length debut. Even before I pushed play on the promo, I knew this would be at least decent—the pedigree of those involved is just too strong. Bassist/vocalist Stillborn and lead guitarist Rotten are both from Pustilence–that alone is a good indication. But Portal’s Illogium is on board for guitars as well…so, yeah, this was destined to be badass.
It’s thrashy but not overly speedy—most of the songs are mid paced with speedier moments intertwined but I like that because it allows the songs to breathe white letting them be very guitar focused. This album has a metric fuck ton of riffs. Oh and has just as many guitar solos.
Although the vocals add much of the black metal elements, the atmosphere, which is cold and brooding, adds a necrotic underground feel to the proceedings. The rhythm section is ultra tight; CY’s drum has a killer tone and he compliments the songs just how they need to be without bashing the kit to death or playing a million miles an hour for the hell of it.
The guitar and bass tones are another highlight for me—very evil, searing, and exactly what I want for the style. They are more robust than a lot of thrash, probably because they don’t venture into faster tempos as much. The album can be melodic when called upon, but it isn’t overly. The melody is usually in the form of a guitar solo, such as the track “Presage,” a two minute long instrumental that is surprisingly moving and is placed well in the middle of the album to help with the flow.
The opening song, “Serpent Bat,” is a banger with a buildup that gets the blood pumping. The drums pound as the guitar ramps up before a blackened screams belts one out from the void. The mid paced cadence creates a steady pounding until a focused passage of speed whips through the middle of the song.
“Fane Of The Slug Gods,” might sound like a ridiculous title but the chorus is ridiculously catchy so who cares. The vocals are a little lower, closer to death growls so an extra layer of guile is added. The groovier parts of the song glue the faster parts to the structure, all caped off with a blazing guitar solo near the end.
The second half of the album holds up as well as the first. “Master In The Black Cavern,” is another catchy tune that squeezes in optimum violence in under two and a half minutes. After a ripping solo, the song slows down the tempo briefly, offering a respite before its explosive finish.
The instrumental, “Demon Bell,” is one of my favorite songs on the album. The slower tempo in the opening is fantastic and maybe it’s something the band can explore more in the future. The leads carry the song until they pass it over to a steady rhythm.
The final song, the title track, is just over six minutes and includes every facets of their sound. The vocals are particularly dangerous, rasping and screaming in between the numerous guitar solos—fans of leads will probably find this to be the best song on the album.
Ultimately, Mages Terror’s “Damnations Sight” might not win any awards for originality nor will it blow your mind, it provides a more than solid blackened thrash experience. It’s one of the better thrash albums I’ve heard this year.
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