The newest album by Brazilian thrash metal band The Mist entitled The Dark Side of the Soul is a rip roaring yet deep album consumed with fury and anger and introspection. Pummeling drums, blast beats, intense guitars, and intense energy emanates from this album and creates a very enjoyable experience for me.

The opening track The Curse of Life brings you into the chokehold of the album and doesn't let go. From the piercing scream of the vocalist Vladimir Korg to the fast drums and the intense, layered guitars which add a level of heaviness to this song. The progression of the track is very good to0, as is the incredible vocal performance. The guitar solo in the middle of the songs hits on another level before the vocals kick back in and carry this song home. I also enjoyed the breakdown section when Victor says, "Everybody dies" and the drums and guitars kick back on.

A standout track for me is (Embryo) - Anatomy of the Soul. It starts out just as heavy and intense as the first track, but the screaming here is a little bit different. It's incredible the vocal range presented within Vladimir. I like how his accent is present and clear in the song when he's screaming "Everyone talk to much". Squealing guitar accompany this song along with deep, distorted bass tones and lightning fast drumming that make this band great. Everyone works so cohesively as a band and I appreciate that. (Liver) Killing my Imaginary Friends is one of my favorite songs on the record. It's starts slow and quiet with some strumming guitars and synths, along with the eerie whispers of Vladimir. Then the song melds into something fast and furious with fast screaming guitars and drums that kick you right in the gut. The vocal performance here is incredible; Vladimir has mastery over his voice as his screams soar above the layered instrumentation. This band is definitely the definition of thrash with how fast moving everything is. I can picture the craziness of the live shows this band must have.

(Bones) Lesson Lived, Lesson Learned) is another great song on this album. From the incredible vocals to the layered guitars and the drumming beneath it all, it's a fast moving song that has a lot to say. The deep bass tones are also very impressive to me, as is the guitar solo which takes up much of the middle of the track. It's also a very dark track thematically. It's an incredible concept album that pulls no punches. This album, complete with punishing rhythms, piercing screams and rage fueled lyrics is the perfect thrash metal band from a band that hasn't made any album since 1995. This definitely a return to form from the Brazilian thrash metal legends and definitely a great, well perfected album.