Bands with such passion for Metal from the first half of the 80s must learn a lesson that is extremely important: you can do that kind of music (you're free to do so), but you must put your personality on in. Without it, you're just a clone, and clones don't aggregate value for Metal. The truth is with me here. With this in mind, we can now understand in a better way what North American trio HELLBRINGER is up to. This is their third release, called "Awakened from the Abyss". But what we hear on the album shows that the band must improve their musical work. Yes, it's just that proto Thrash/Death Metal from the eighties, sounding in a midterm between DESTRUCTION, SODOM, POSSESSED and SLAYER from that time. This comparison is not fair with the past. The trio needs to put more of them into their musical word, because even being good, the moldy feeling and the cloning smell is too evident. Sorry, but you are HELLBRINGER, so the Metalheads want to hear HELLBRINGER's music, not some musical copycatting band.

The musical production is another extremely weak point of the album. Is too raw and nasty, giving us the clear sensation that they want to be like the bands from the past. Again I point to the same answer: the spirit of the 80s isn't on the raw sound quality of those days, but on the music itself. A better production would operate a miracle, but they chose the wrong way. The band does have some good points in their music, so it is not a total loss. "Fall of the Cross" is fast and presents a very good dose of energy and some good vibes from Punk Rock/Hardcore. The slow tempos show on "Coven of Darkness" are good as well (despising that it reminds a lot something SLAYER did on "Haunting the Chapel" EP). The same can be said about the catchy musical arrangements of "Iron Gates" (some fine guitar riffs are presented here, along with good drumming). "Dark Oversee" has some good moments from vocals and the rhythmic kitchen shows strength and weight. These are their best songs, and although they aren't enough to save the album, they show that the band has potential. More of yourselves on the songs next time, guys, and you'll be fine.