It’s common to lose one or other release due the massive tsunami of releases that comes each day. Then it’s not a sin to deal with a full-length or EP one or two years after its original release, and it’s important to do it, because something great that you’re looking for is already in hands. And for those addicted on extreme Metal ways, the Brazilian act ASKE is a fine name to check, as “Vol. II” (originally release on 2023) shows. Hailing from São Carlos (SP), the duet is specialized on playing a form of Death/Black Metal than can cause shivers run through the spine of the listeners, and to be honest, it’s a mix between Death/Black Metal with Blackened Death Metal, because the greater part of the time, the band evades lightspeed tempos, using a more somber appeal, with some very good and darkened melodic arrangements.

It’s not a sin to say that they’re in a vein similar to DISSECTION and WATAIN in many ways, with traces of Hardcore (pay attention to “Represente Satanás” to check it) and other subgenres of Metal, what means that they’re not copying anyone. It’s personal, sounds alive and aggressive, and they unleash a massive grasp of energy. The band hired Eugenio Stefane to take care of the production, recordings, mixing and mastering of “Vol. II”. His work resulted on an aggressive and distorted (yet defined and massive) sonority, and something of organic can be felt as well. It works pretty well and fits on what the band musically expresses. And by the way, the work of Thierry Dettmer as session drummer is amazing.

Coming 8 years after “Once...” (2015), “Vol. II” depicts the evolution of the musical ideas of the duet, so take a dive in the abyss offered by “Sinner” (a catchy song with midtempos on the rhythms, and a good set of drums’ conductions), “No Soul to Sell” (the bass guitar creates some oppressive ambiences on the beginning, but soon a Thrash/Death Metal song arises, with very good rhythms and excellent vocals), “Music Knows No Allegience”, “Represente Satanas” (the Hardcore touches are evident, and the Portuguese lyrics seems to use some figures that points to the Afro religion of Kimbanda), “The Origins of Satan” (where some Groove Thrash Metal traits can be heard), “Royalist”, “A Bruxa e o Cardeal” (a climatic and intense song with very good vocals, and charming Black Metal riffs and arrangements), “Eva (Tears from Sodom)” (some traits inherited from Heavy Metal can be heard in some moments), “The Woodcutter” and “Pazuzu (Lost into a Valley of Rot)” (a somber song with charming subjective melodies and Brazilian touches). You won’t regret the experience!

ASKE shows they’re alive and full of energy, and “Vol.II” is really a great surprise!