COMMANDO is a 4-Piece Traditional Heavy Metal band from Arvika, Sweden. They are not to be confused with other bands with the same name from countries like Romania and Mexico! I do like the old school name of the band, I think it really fits like a glove. They released a demo back in 2018 and this is their first EP. They did however rework the two songs from that demo and put in on this debut release.

They are quire reminiscent of the NWOBHM sound, but concentrating heavily on being fast-paced. You have very gruff vocals similar to a pissed off Tom Araya but the standout feature for me if their bassist. The bass rhythms are more complex than they seem and there is some serious skill that he shows off. As for the guitars, they play intense speeds but still can carry a melody especially on ''Sinner's Soul''. You have some ferocious speed yet you have the presence of slower tempos that keeps the listener entertained. You have the aggressive side but they can deliver something a bit more story driven.

As for the drumming, it is pretty repetitive but it's not too awful technically yet you won't reinvent the wheel nonetheless. His aggressive double bass drumming does work well with the execution of the other band members. Sometimes he tries too hard and the band becomes a bit more chaotic like on ''Slumbering Death''. When they stray after from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal, that's where you obviously see they are out of their wheelhouse. When they stick to it, it works, when they try to do other things, it flies off the rails.

I know that they are beginning their musical career and they will be forging their sound going forward. It is a heavily riff-driven album and the lyric content is what you would expect from the genre, it's an either you get it or you don't situation. Overall ''Rites of Damnation'' isn't the best or most original of it's kind. It's all pretty much stuff you've heard beforehand but if you aren't too closed minded, you will hopefully enjoy this release. You have a lot of shortcomings and a full-on lack of creativity at times but it's just a very energetic album and straight to the point. There is no harm of a young band that combines the old school Heavy Metal with their own musical influences and they will evolve and get better with time that's for sure.