In the middle of Thrash Metal rebirth that we are living in today (because the genre was considered dead in the end of the 80's, because few bands survived the Grunge/Alternative Rock age), there is a great problem: many bands are just playing the genre without any worry of trying to be different from the others. But there are those bands that really deserve respect, as the Brazilian quintet MOFO, from Brasília (DF). After a very good first coming with the EP "Empire of Self-Regard", they're back with their first album, "Sick and Insane".

Their musical work is similar to North American Thrash Metal School but with some influence from Crossover/Hardcore as well, showing influences of names as SLAYER, ANTHRAX, EXODUS, D. R. I. and NUCLEAR ASSAULT, but in a personal way. Of course that they're still young and will mature as experience took its toll, but their musical violence is intense, frantic and full of young energy, using very good choruses (where Hardcore influences becomes evident) and nasty melodies to bound it all together (especially during the guitar solos). It's nothing extremely new at all, but they aren't cloning anyone, but writing things in their own way. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Victor "Xexel" Hormidas at Texas Estúdio, in their homeland, and having the band along "Xexel", all sounds clear, loud and defined, but a bit 'hollow' in some parts. It's a very good work, but not perfect, and the instrumental tunes are sounding in a very good way (but can be better in the future).

On the album, nine fine lashes in the face (remembering that "Cynic" is just an intro) that shows how MOFO is really a promising name. And "Adrenaline" (a fast massacre with an excellent work from bass guitar and drums, creating a heavy rhythm for the band), "Brothers of Death" (a very good song with contrast between fast and slow parts, presenting very good vocals), "Time for War" (a massive weight can be heard the melodies of this song, along with very good catchy parts, especially from the addicting guitar riffs and good solos), "Sick and Insane" (the unusual slapping parts of the bass guitar in the beginning precedes another savage massacre), "Final Experiment" and "Purgatory" (both with very good slow parts, and again, nice guitar riffs) are the right ones for a first time on these Thrashers work.

"Sick and Insane" marks the rise of a very good and promising name from Brazilian Thrash Metal and deserves to be heard at the loudest volume possible. MOFO still has to mature a bit more, but they're on the right path to rip your ears to shreds!