Mutilator
Into the Strange
[Cogumelo]


Somewhat disappointing when compared to such brutal recordings as their '86 demo (which to me sounds just as good as the Sarcofago demos) and '87 LP ("Immortal Force"), Mutilator from Brazil took a much less brutal and MUCH more Venom style approach to this release. Possessing a good deal more melody than Venom ever did though, this is a decent and varied death/thrash album.

Listening to earlier stuff (and early for this band was only two years before this was released!) makes me wonder why they changed their style in the first place. I personally can't comment on anything after "Into the Strange", but the original material from this band was vicious and fast black/death metal. Not far off from other Brazilian bands of that time.

Satanic lyrics gone, super fast drumming exchanged for a mid-paced and more technical style, and vocals changing from rough grunts/screams to very Cronos-esque style shouts, Mutilator made a quick and confusing turn-around with this release. Who really knows why? I personally prefer the death metal feel of the earlier material I have from this band, but you can't really complain with a solid album like this. What really impresses me though is that Brazil was producing the likes of Sarcofago, Sepultura, Volcano, and Expulser during this time. A scene that was years ahead of the rest of the world…


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