Homicide Hagridden – Effect Lucifero

Slayer may be all but finished but this Italian quartet will be keeping their memory alive in what is their third full length album in incredibly 14 years. This is actually a re-release from 2016. Only difference is a bonus track, ‘Black As War’.

This album could easily be a Slayer album. Massimo Moda’s vocals are eerily parallel to Araya’s. Anyway, enough of Slayer. Let’s talk Homicide Hagridden.

Opening track ‘4 Letters’ is an absolute belter. This is a proper album opener. Great riffs, speed changes, angry vocals. Everything you would want from an opening track. ‘Remembrance Of Me’ is another corker which holds the same galloping beats as ‘4 Letters’, but Moda is now showing us his melodic side to his vocals.

There’s no letting up as we gallop through ‘Regime’, and ‘Raped’, the opening riffs reminding me of Morbid Angel back in the day. There’s Holy Terror here as well. This is a stunning and powerful track. Lot’s of stop-starts and some great solo’s.

I can’t help but mention Slayer again as I’m listening to ‘Lie To An Angel’. This is Slayer all over. Vocals, drums, guitars. Don’t get me wrong these guys aren’t ripping Slayer off at all, they are more like Slayer’s younger brother. And it’s brilliant, believe me.

‘Lethal Agreement’ has confirmed that I now have to go and see these guys if they hit these shores. The speed changes and structure of this track are sublime in every way. I’m loving the left to right speaker solo pano through the mix. To add to this track, there’s a beautiful Spanish acoustic solo. Magic.

The album changes slightly when we hit ‘Purify’. Moda’s vocals turning into a sickening growl. Still works well but very different to what I’ve heard so far.

‘The Unsaid’ is an anthem to behold. Over 6 minutes of speed changes and moody riffs that leads us to the album finisher and bonus track ‘Black As War’. Another Slayer classic, but from what era I can’t quiet work out.

If you love Slayer, you’ll love these guys. I do.

Track Listing:

1 – 4 Letters

2 – Remembrance of me

3 – Regime

4 – Raped

5 – Lie to an angel

6 – Lethal agreement

7 – Purify

8 – The Unsaid

9 – Black as war (Bonus Track)

Line up:

Stefano Moda-Drums

Massimo Moda – Guitar/Vocals

Fabio Insalaco – Guitar

Valerio Possetto – Bass

Find out more about Homicide Hagridden on Facebook here