Greece, even having an old Rock scene (the roots of it are in the 60's), had a delay to show its Metal acts, what happened in the 90's, when the talons of ROTTING CHRIST, NECROMANTIA and VARATHRON broke the boundaries of the country and reached the praise of the fans throughout the world. After it called the attention of Metalheads to Greek Metal scene, other Metal bands of other genres became evident, especially of Thrash Metal due SUICIDAL ANGELS success. It's not a mere case to have a work as "Riffobia", the latest release of the quartet RIFFOBIA in hands. The quartet can be compared to New York Thrash Metal acts as OVERKILL, because their musical work is so aggressive that influences of NYHC (New York Hardcore) are evident in many moments.

And as a third album, it sediments the band's musical work: furious and aggressive (as the usual for Greek Thrash Metal acts), and it's played with a good technical level (but without becoming exaggerated), with melodic solos (where some old and good influences of MOTÖRHEAD can be heard clearly), solid rhythmic work (their bass guitar and drums creates a dense a strong set of rhythmic shifts), and sharp hardcorized vocals. Yes, it's very good to hear such kind of music that makes the head shake without the fan can note it. Achilleas Kalantzis (a known producer on Greek scene who did works for BENEDICTION, CELESTIAL SEASON, VARATHRON and others) signs the mixing and mastering, what enables the band to present its songs with weight, aggressiveness and in a form that can be understood by the fans, and keeping a 'filthy' touch that is essential for extreme Metal genres. And the cover of Stan W. Decker is really good and fun.

"Riffobia" is that kind of album of a band that shows a very good and solid set of inspired songs. But for dealing with it for the first time, the right ones are "God of Hate" (the set of excellent guitar riffs is amazing, allowing the quartet to slash the ears of the fans, and pay attention to the 'motörheadian' traces on the solos), "Herald of Pain" and "Merciless" (with both showing amazing fast tempos with very good technical work of bass guitar and drums, and those hooks that usual for the genre), "Prisoner" (a short and catchy song that is filled with many Hardcore and Crossover features, and what expressive screamed vocals), "Murder" (another fast moment with the adrenaline peaking its highest, with very good instrumental arrangements), "Welcome to Hell" (the speed decreases, the weight increases, and the hooks created a perfect song for live shows), and the amazing "Soul Collector". And take a shot of it on the band's Bancamp.

Maybe it's early to write such words, but RIFFOBIA is on the right level to conquer a greater number of new fans (if some can leave their 'cult of personality' thing, just looking for bands and albums of the past). "Riffobia" deserves to be heard until the ears and eyes are bleeding!