Formed in Brazil about 10 years ago, Black Metal trio OUTLAW presents their fourth full-length album here titled "Opus Mortis." It has seven songs, and "Blaze of Dissolution" is first. It is very thick, aggressive, and fast out of the gates, and it burns with a fire so hot, it leaves ashes in its trail. The harsh vocals burn with an anger that is unmatched, but there are also some subtleties that you might miss if you aren't listening closely enough. "Through the Infinite Darkness" hears the landscape turn darker, and more sinister. The song still has plenty of rage as its main course, but also, a slice of torture for dessert. "The Crimson Rose" has that scratchy, thick guitar sound that is associated with the genre often, and once it starts up, it can't be turned off. The vocals are aggressive, and filthy, and the energy in the song is noteworthy.

"A Million Midnights" is another song that dials up the intensity, along with the rage, and has a sinister edge to it. There is also a healthy dose of aggression, almost like a cornered snake who hasn't eaten in months. "Those Who Breathe Fire" might apply to the band specifically, because they definitely do. The fire comes from deep within the band, and it is exhaled with the strength of a diaphragm of a dragon. There are some ambient moments also, where I picture them recovering their strength to get ready to fight with all of their faculties. "A Subtle Intimation" begins with clean, solemn guitars, and a background of mystery. It's almost as if they are asking themselves the age old question…why are we here? The answer is of course not there, and the rage suggests it is in the forefront of their minds.

"Ruins of Existence" closes the album, and they go out with a bang. The anger dial is set to 10 and they keep that pace through most of the song, until a moment to breathe, and it seems to usher in the end of the world. The best part of the album for me was their raw energy and their commitment to their trade. They fired up the engine, ran them until they were dry, and kept running them until they crumbled. This is aggression at its finest.