Review: Fastkill - Bestial Thrashing Bulldozer : MetalBite

Review by Alex on June 6, 2018.

I find it criminal that Sadistik Forest have not been mentioned amongst more notable bands within the underground death metal scene. Prior to encountering this monstrous mount of malevolence in the body of Morbid Majesties I hadn't any knowledge of their existence. Upon investigation, I had discovered that Sadistik Forest existed since 2010. Since then they have released 2 full-length albums and 1 split EP featuring a death metal band known as Septory (I will be turning in their direction soon). Now in 2018 we have Morbid Majesties passing down its judgment onto the scene via wicked combinations of gruesome death growls, twisted shrieks (that sound like a cross between Randy Blythe of Lamb of God and Heljarmadr of Grá) and versatile drumming and guitars. The atmosphere Sadistik Forest paints on Morbid Majesties is strange, sometimes it feels like melodic blackened death metal, other times it radiates an apocalyptic thrash metal aurora whilst still keeping intact the death metal identity of the band. Finland is notorious for producing quality metal bands and Sadistik Forest is no exception to this.

Morbid Majesties opens with its self titled track and puts on a display of cavernous wretchedness unlike anything I've heard thus far in 2018 in terms of a new release. The growls sound deep and gurgling; it is reinforced by rugged screams and wrecking drumming and guitars. The drumming and guitars really battle for command on this 3:51 opener. Thrash metal guitar groves are mashed against the wall by brisk drumming that changes its arrangements to match the sly guitar riffing. The second track does the same; it has a war march feeling that suits the tempo of the album as a collective. Then there are slower songs such as “The Hour of Dread” which has a sedating speed, it is centered around groovy drumming and chugging guitars. There is a doomy aspect that is awakened when the guttural growls step forth. The guitar solo on it is suiting for the tempo; it has a high pitch and a great melody that matches the creeping flow of the composition. The best track on the album is a toss-up between “Zero Progress” and “Bones of A Giant”. There is a huge polarity in song structure, feeling, rhythm and time. I find it funny that the longest and shortest pieces on Morbid Majesties compete with each other. Primarily, one offers more diversity and the other offers more aggression and better songwriting. They bring out the best of the band in each aspect of their music thus advertising their skill set.

Morbid Majesties pulses with energetic and vibrant music. It is a must own for every death metal supporter/enthusiast. The incorporation of each aspect is well timed; nothing appears to be overwhelming on this sick installation. The artwork is beautifully grotesque; it struck me at first glance. I can imagine how warped a colored vinyl edition would look, especially if it matches the cover image. A green vinyl with black haze and red splatter would be terrific; take my money! This lawless legion of Sadistik Forest and Transcending Obscurity will shake and shatter the death metal underground.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Review by JD on September 30, 2012.

Band names can be a little odd, you know that. You got to be extremely creative, somewhat crazy or both to get that perfect name that stands out from a crowd. Japan has been known for naming bands curiously, chosen odd sorts of moniker, or stereotyped so badly that it is clear as hell what they do - yet those same band names seem to always somehow fit. To make my point on this, I give you the Japanese Thrashers called Fastkill. It is pure metal cheese through and through like melted blue cheese, and yet it that sort of cheesy name really does works.

Moshing their way from the metropolis expanse of Tokyo, Fastkill is a band that rips your head off from the very second they start to play to the end of the CD. Playing very exotic yet massively heavy sided traditional Thrash since 1996, these veterans of the pits seem to have perfected their bombastic sound and kicked the adrenaline level up to the maximum to deliver a wall of pure metallic bliss. And they are so damned good at what they are doing. It is refreshing to hear old school rearing its head.

I hear some shadings of early Overkill, Possessed, early Sacrifice (1st album, "Trial By Fire") and even some thrashier version of Grave Digger in here, along with the usual thrash inflences here. Songs like the pit creating 'Die In The Pentagram' and the headbanging anthem 'In Thrash We Trust' are fun and explosive old school Thrash. It is totlly cheesy and somewhat tongue in cheek, but it is still better than most bands that are out there today. Admittedly, I am not a big fan of the high pitched screeching/screaming siren of Lead Vocalist Toshio Komori, but I have to admit it fits well with their sound.

You're not going to get a new genre of metal out of Fastkill, just straight forward Thrash that pummels your senses and urges headbanging. It is very stereotypical early thrash scene, but that is what makes it good and fun. Ya can't ask for much else, except for a cold beer - and you have a few in the fridge to listen to this album with. Grab a cold one, listen to this impressive album and I am sure that you will agree. Horns up.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 7.5
Originality:8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by JD on September 30, 2012.

Band names can be a little odd, you know that. You got to be extremely creative, somewhat crazy or both to get that perfect name that stands out from a crowd. Japan has been known for naming bands curiously, chosen odd sorts of moniker, or stereotyped so badly that it is clear as hell what they do - yet those same band names seem to always somehow fit. To make my point on this, I give you the Japanese Thrashers called Fastkill. It is pure metal cheese through and through like melted blue cheese, and yet it that sort of cheesy name really does works.

Moshing their way from the metropolis expanse of Tokyo, Fastkill is a band that rips your head off from the very second they start to play to the end of the CD. Playing very exotic yet massively heavy sided traditional Thrash since 1996, these veterans of the pits seem to have perfected their bombastic sound and kicked the adrenaline level up to the maximum to deliver a wall of pure metallic bliss. And they are so damned good at what they are doing. It is refreshing to hear old school rearing its head.

I hear some shadings of early Overkill, Possessed, early Sacrifice (1st album, "Trial By Fire") and even some thrashier version of Grave Digger in here, along with the usual thrash inflences here. Songs like the pit creating 'Die In The Pentagram' and the headbanging anthem 'In Thrash We Trust' are fun and explosive old school Thrash. It is totlly cheesy and somewhat tongue in cheek, but it is still better than most bands that are out there today. Admittedly, I am not a big fan of the high pitched screeching/screaming siren of Lead Vocalist Toshio Komori, but I have to admit it fits well with their sound.

You're not going to get a new genre of metal out of Fastkill, just straight forward Thrash that pummels your senses and urges headbanging. It is very stereotypical early thrash scene, but that is what makes it good and fun. Ya can't ask for much else, except for a cold beer - and you have a few in the fridge to listen to this album with. Grab a cold one, listen to this impressive album and I am sure that you will agree. Horns up.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 7.5
Originality:8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Fastkill - Official Website

Bestial Thrashing Bulldozer