Info
- Band(s): Sadism
- Label(s): Hammerheart Records, Into It Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: February 18, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Being formed all the way back in 1988, Sadism definitely is one of the oldest and still running Death Metal bands from Latin America and with that comes a hefty discography. The back catalogue of the Chileans shows the band both in high and low points of their lengthy career. Arguably their most intense period was in the early 90’s during which they released my personal favourite, their 1991 ‘From The Perpetual Dark’ demo tape, but also in the few years that followed the band firmly carved their name in the history books of South American Death Metal.
While some of their later material obviously (and logically) somewhat lacked the same energy or youthful pureness of their earlier works it is quite fair to state that the band has always remained true to their musical path and kept it close to their collective hearts. So, all the ups and downs aside, Sadism can definitely be regarded as one of the most consistent bands from Chile, a country that for the last fifteen or so years has been known for their massive amounts of great Death Metal bands – within their national ranks, Sadism is without a doubt considered as one of the country’s Godfathers of Death Metal. And rightfully so.
When such a band comes up with a new record, some 35 years after their initial inception, it comes with both a feeling of admiration for their persistence and longevity and a good sense of curiousness. Over the past few years I have heard a good amount of their previously released albums, but fairness dictates that not all of them stuck with me equally. But the thing that stayed with me throughout all these years is a bit of a feeling that Sadism was a band that operated just out of the wrong country – or continent even. They are seen as one of the forebearers of their national Death Metal scene, but they never managed to get much out of that position and remained into the global underground for the most part.
With their brand new album ‘Obscurans’ under their belts things might be changing in a positive way. Not so much because they altered their musical recipe, but for the most part because this is the first album that was picked up by a considerably bigger label than any of the other partners that the band teamed up with before.
Stating the above might give away more than intended as it can be read as a conclusion of sorts. Musically ‘Obscurans’ is just a continuation of everything the band has been known for in the last three decades and a bit: no-nonsense Death Metal that falls right in the same ground as that of Vader, Master or Benediction. The main difference when being compared to previously released material is that ‘Obscurans’ is definitely sounding the best and in the progress shows their full potential. The more or less one-dimensional Death Metal goes down easily and requires little from the listener. Therein lies its strength, but of course also a bit of a danger at the same time. Towards the end of the 40-minute duration of this record, it does get a bit more difficult to keep your full attention on the music, but these likeable Chileans are easily forgiven for that.
Hammerheart Records
- Country: Netherlands
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
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Into It Records
- Country: Netherlands
- Style: Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
