Since the end of the 80s, and after a long time lying buried in the deepest layers of underground, Thrash Metal came back. But as time passes by, evolution made its work, and a new way to play the genre came to life, what some call Modern Thrash Metal. It's fast and melodic as the old ways, but even more aggressive and nasty than before. A good example of this fine way to make extreme music is TERROR EMPIRE, a fine quintet from Coimbra (Portugal) that comes with their second album, called "Obscurity Rising".

Aggressive to the very bone, fast and furious (but with excellent rhythmic changes), this is what they are about. Obviously there are harmonic structures that keep the melodic lines present. But the quintet uses a brutal crunch in some moments that is a clear influence from Death Metal. Be prepared for their assault, because it is as oppressive as a kick in your mouths, but with a charming energy and a very personal musical insight. The mass murder starts by the sound quality. The band's drummer, João Dourado, produced and mastered the album, and he created something really brutal and sharp, with a dry sonority that enables us all to understand what the band is playing and their fine musical arrangements. The cover art, created by the hands of André Coelho (the same artist that made the cover art for KRISIUN's "Black Force Domain"), as his work evokes a dark and dense feeling that matches with the fury that the band's songs show.

In 10 hymns of violence, they show an excellent work with lots of hooks. But the vertigo caused by the fast tempos and catchy guitar riffs on "You'll Never See Us Coming" (some Death Metal elements are clear on this song), the massive assault with fine technical work heard on "Burn the Flag", the oppressive slow tempos of "Times of War" (where we can hear a very good work from bass guitar and drums), the technical complexity in some points of "Holy Greed", the harsh and fast parts of "Lust", the freak slam-dancing incitation presented on "Death Wish" (very good vocals can be found here), and the nasty grasp of musical aggressiveness shown on "New Dictators" (that presents a solo made by Gus Drax, guitarist of SUICIDAL ANGELS) can be said as their finest moments on "Obscurity Rising". But don't leave the other tracks aside, or you regret it!

The band is amazing, and I truly recommend you to pay attention to TERROR EMPIRE, because with a helping hand, they can become as great as some names of the North American "Big Four;" maybe greater!