Review by Felix on January 4, 2026.

Sometimes it takes a while until a band appears on my radar. Don’t know how you manage the myriad of different formations in each and every sub-genre. I have no time to create a system, a net that catches all interesting thrash or black metal bands. Aggravating the situation, I definitely do not have the time to lend an ear to every promo I get. Finally, I am still nothing else a fan, and I don’t want to spend all my time listening to a new album three or four times only to write a review and then go to the next. The other side of the coin is that I am not aware of some good bands, probably more than I think. But at least I am now aware of the amazing skills of Filii Nigratium Infernalium and Pornokrates: Deo Gratias is, the second album of the band I know.

The full-length from the year 2013 already shows the features that also characterize the band’s album from 2024, their last one up to now. This is no matter of course, because two guys from 2013 (drummer Maalm and guitarist Mantus) left the band in the meantime. So it seems as if the other two dudes set the direction for Filii N.I. This means that “Pornokrates: Deo Gratias” is an album that enriches the bastard genre of black thrash metal, and it spreads the slightly insane vibes that give the hybrid its special taste. A few dissonant sounds, appearing not only in the homage to Piggy (“Voivodina”), underline the crazy barking, shouting, and screaming of Belathauzer. But don’t jump to conclusions, the Portuguese quartet is able to write a very smoothly flowing number as well. “Labyrinto” takes off in an incredibly smart manner without being commercial in any way. These two numbers alone show a remarkable portfolio of the band, but they have more surprising numbers up their sleeves. “Necro Rock ´n´ Roll” is exactly the boozy song one expects under this title. But that's still not enough. With “Seita”, the musicians perform a somewhat spooky number, initially carried only by drums and a lonely, sluggish bass. Maybe not one of the best songs of the album (a little bit too long and too lazy), but still okay and definitely proof of their artistic flexibility.

Despite this variety, “Pornokrates: Dos Gratias” definitely does not fail in terms of delivering a proper black thrash massacre. “Metástase”, “Lobos” or “Ecuménia Matança por Jesus“, this is only a selection of tracks that illustrate the natural fury and edginess of the formation. At the end, due to the constantly high level, it is perhaps not a single song that stands out, but the sum of the great riffs („Rancor“ must be mentioned here), the powerful approach, and the pleasant negativity of the Portuguese wrecking crew. Everything sounds fresh, vital, and passionate, and the path to total insanity seems very short at any time. In short, Filii N. I. allow themselves no downers, and they pay in the currency that counts in black thrash. Their anti-social attitude carries them through to the final quasi-title track and makes this 48-minute opus an exciting experience. Recommended even thirteen years after its release.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10