The Italian three piece THULSA DOOM takes their name from the 1982 movie Conan the Barbarian. Formed in 2017 this is their first full length release after putting out an EP in 2018 titled Realms of Hatred. The sound of the EP is described as raw death metal with intricate guitar work and high energy chaos like the likes of SUFFOCATION. The artwork has a cool look to it and was done by Kris Verwimp.The lineup includes some small changes from their first release having B.G. Triumph moving from drums to bass and L.Herald stepping in to replace him behind the kit.

The album starts out with a power trip of a track called "Where Death Dwells" and doesn't let up for a minute. The band builds around a banger riff using rapid fire drums and variating tempo that holds your attention. V.K.'s hearty growl confronts the music head on and rolls with the riffs in the track and on the album as a collective."Cursed Domains Beyond" is a death metal speed fest that falls into a more melodic flow towards the end but the intensity from the beginning of the track remains. The drums are at the forefront of this attack and lead the charge with expert precision. There are similarities between an old school death metal with speed and moments of melody barrelling ahead like a SLAYER or MORBID ANGEL and the more relentless onslaught that you find with SUFFOCATION and NAPALM DEATH. The track "Tomb of the Serpent Cult" sums up my previously mentioned thoughts very well.

The instrumental titled track "A Fate Worse Than Death" fits in with a haunting melody that is a nicely written music dominated by smooth picking guitar. You are then once again thrusted on to shaky ground with the aggressive and pounding track "Order of the Black". Rumbling double bass and chunky guitar eventually takes over but the blistering speed seems to have been intensified by the melancholy state of the instrumental song. "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" is my pick for top track of the release, using echoing vocals effects and heavy bass to deliver a powerful performance. The last song I'd wish to speak of is "Last Portal of Xhul" as it seems to involve every aspect of the release that the band was hoping to get across to the listener. It is a dominant death metal track that sounds like there is more than just a trio creating the wall of sound that hits like a brick.

As you continue throughout the album you realize that the music fits very well together and much can be said for the strong songwriting. The vocal style seems to generate deep in the gut and projects with a harsh tone that matches the intensity of the instruments. As a first full length album, the band has given themselves solid ground to build upon and should be pleased with their work and should stir up some positive feedback for the band as they perform the song live.