Massacra

Final Holocaust (1990)

Final Holocaust is the ultimate triumph of inner warrior spirit over aesthetic. Staunch discipline and thirst for war ruling out the need for pointless novelty. Whilst it is easy to argue that this album is simply a rehash of 80s speed metal staples such as Slayer and Kreator, this would be naive. In paying more attention to the composition (inner spirit) rather than the aesthetic (outer) the listener will find an album unparalleled in all of Metal for its structural ingenuity. The best way to describe the pieces is with the term (micro-symphonies). A violent ecstasy that erupts inside the realms of a neo-classical framework. The frenetic, raw energy within these songs, and the way it rises throughout the album, is unmatched to my knowledge. The key, and why it is such a struggle to fully appreciate this album, is that it does not rely on "stand-out" moments, or extended bridges with novelty items (filler). Instead it relies on the consistency of its inner warrior spirit, and never once diverges from this. This separates it from the popular music ethos and puts it closer to the realm of classical composition. Death Metal how it should be, savage, unrelenting and oblivious to "moral truth."

Enjoy the Violence (1991)

Enjoy the Violence sees Massacra extend the repetition in terms of rhythmic patterns to enhance the focus on melodic layering through subtle changes in both texture and direction, across narrative structures. The steadiness of rhythm acts at times like an ambient presence, or an undercurrent of force (will to power). An inexorable hatred. This gives the compositions a vital pulse upon which to base their assault. The melodic manipulation within this rhythmic force-field acts as a simmering tension, cracking beneath the weight, ready to unleash on unsuspecting victims. It is a sociopathy lying beyond the chaotic fringe of mundanity. 

The coherency of the album structure cannot be understated; the songs are organised in continuity and each has a distinct purpose. The album is separated into three distinct mini-song cycles, each with their own prevalent themes and variations of mood. Massacra establish their legacy in the top echelon of death metal with this release.