While there are many things associated with Ireland, Blackened Thrash Metal most certainly would not be anywhere near the top of the list of things that immediately spring to mind. At least not yet at any rate, although SACRELIGIA seems to be hell-bent on changing that. The duo of SACRELIGIA has exploded onto the scene with their debut album, "The Triclavian Advent", which happens to also be their first public release ever. With high praise already coming in from all corners, I was curious to see what all the hype was about.

Spanning just over half an hour, "The Triclavian Advent" is fierce and to-the-point. The Black Metal influences in the music give SACRILEGIA's songs a dark and sinister feel, whilst the Thrash elements blend in a ruthless and unstoppably quality. This is apparent from the very first few notes of the relentless onslaught that is "Relics of Oncoming Doom". Fast, frenzied, and furious, the blitzkrieg of songs erupts out of the speakers at a manic pace, with the intensity being tempered by clever changes in tempo. This allows the album to remain ravaging without becoming overwhelming, and allows the menacing melody and atmosphere to shine through the more savage parts, as for example on "Beyond the Fouler's Snare" and "Unheeded Warnings". At the pinnacle of the album we have the cover "Armoured Angel", a song by the eponymous band, released in the early days of Thrash Metal. Other highlights of the album are the quirky yet catchy "On Herding of Swine" and Thrashy maelstrom of a melody that is "Unheeded Warnings". Here, the bombardment of pounding drums really drive the song forward, whilst the gravelly rasped vocals get interspersed throughout the spitfire guitar sections, resulting in a formidable barrage of a song. Closer "As With Spears We Come" ends the album off with a brief Thrash instrumental, although this seems a little lacklustre after the salvo that came before it, and the fade-out feels out-of-place after all the punch packed by the rest of the album.

Despite this small gripe, "The Triclavian Advent" has a very take-no-prisoners feel to it, competently put together by musicians who clearly know what they're doing. Drawing on influences from other great names in the scene yet adding an undeniable touch of their own, SACRILEGIA deliver a beast of an album. The recording and production qualities aren't the greatest, but then again, this does give the album a more old school, dirty quality, which works well with SACRILEGIA's sound. Overall, their music does still have a few rough edges and room for improvement, but the potential of the band is also undeniable, and there are many more experienced bands who would struggle to create such a dynamic and powerful debut. SACRELIGIA are definitely a band I shall be keeping my eye on, and you should too!