The Troops of Doom – Antichrist Reborn
Release Date: 15th April 2022
Label: Alma Mater Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Thrash, Old School Death Metal, Grindcore.
FFO: Slayer, Death, Vader, Morbid Angel.
Review By: Andy Spoon
Brazilian “supergroup” The Troops of Doom are set to release their first LP length album on April 15th, hoping to add a new international element of Brazilian thrash metal to the halls of the metal auditorium. Stocking up on members from associated projects like Southern Blacklist, Patria, Explicit Hate, and Sepultura, The Troops of Doom seek to bear down on the ‘post-big-four’ thrash metal age, where the genre is being rediscovered internationally. Ready to capitalize on the new interest in thrash-blends rising in the ranks of the death metal community, Antichrist Reborn is an authentically-good thrash album that has enough in touch with the foundations of thrash and death metal to pay homage to the great ones, but add an entirely recent and relevant touch to the genre with Brazilian sabor.
Largely, Antichrist Reborn is heavy thrash and a bit of death metal mixed together. Vocals are from the school of thrash, definitely. The guitars are higher in the register than in traditional death metal, but have much of that dark and ominous chord structure. The drums are fast in tempo, but not reliant on things like blast beats or wild double bass. The fills are fast and clear, keeping an overall even mix across the kit from toms, to cymbals. Any drum fan could easily follow drummer Alexandre Oliveira’s licks at any point on any track.
The guitars are recorded well in stereo, giving the listener a good left and right mix. Drums have the same effect, giving a polished and completed sound to the mixdown. The vocals are largely in mono, which is expected, but blended with the overall “noise” really well, not taking anything away from the music section while the vocals are going. Vocals are supplemented with a delay that lengthens the sound peaks, making the lyrics sound a bit “fuller” with the chugging rhythm close behind. Leads are melodic, transparent, and easy to follow, something too-many artists fail to achieve in the perpetual wars to out-shred the next guitarist. The well-timed restraint and occasional wild solos are reminiscent of Dave Mustaine and Kerry King, who are masters of the thrash guitar art.
Themes of the lyrics are dark, supernaturally-focused on occult and horror imagery, giving some credence to the name of the album Antichrist Reborn. To give some criticism, the lyrical content is genuinely fairly generic, e.g. “hell on earth”, “damnation and suffering”, and other anti-religious themes. If you were to suggest that Antichrist Reborn’s lyrics were polished at the Tom Araya University of Evil Themes and Lyrics, you’d be on to something. Thankfully, the overall sound and feel of the record is cohesive and thematically-consistent, making the acceptance of the death and thrash tropes just another fun element of the listening process.
Fernando Ribero, owner of Alma Mater Records lauds the record as a contender for death metal AOTY, something that many death/thrash fans might agree with. As a whole, the album does not disappoint, and absolutely adds variety and substance to the genre. Nothing becomes over burdensome to enjoy. Nothing drones on too long to lose its luster. Guitar fans, drum fans, speed fans, and those who enjoy death/apocalyptic themes ought to spin Antichrist Reborn ASAP, as it’ll easily be an hour well-spent. 
(5 / 5)
