Description

Thrash metal saw its popularity peak in the late ’80s and early ’90s, which isn’t to say that it disappeared in the mid- to late ’90s, it simply became less prevalent. One thrash band that didn’t get started until the late ’90s was Serpent Obscene, a Swedish outfit that recalls Dark Angel and early Slayer. This self-titled debut album was recorded in 2000, but ultra-fast and ferociously heavy tracks like Violent Torture, Pestilent Seed (The Plague), and Sadistic Abuse sound like they could have been recorded in the 1980s or early 90s. Even the band’s look recalls thrashs glory years: long, straight hair and black leather motorcycle jackets with black t-shirts. The morbid lyrics, many of which deal with Satanism and the occult, are pure death metal, and the sound of the band is unapologetic thrash. None of the material on this album is expansive or terribly original; without question, Serpent Obscene is quite derivative. Regardless, this is a competent debut that some die-hard thrash enthusiasts will enjoy regardless of its shortcomings and limitations.

Track listing:
1. Devastation
2. Serpent Prophecy
3. Sadistic Abuse
4. Rapid Fire
5. Pestilent Seed (The Plague)
6. Evil Rites
7. Morbid Horror
8. Violent Torture
9. Act Of Aggression