Impiety - Skullfucking Armageddon (1999)

Formed in 1990 under the name, Anno Sathanas, but quickly changed to Impiety in '91, this Singapore based band is the most cult and revered band from this south east Asian land and as far as I know the only worthwhile group from this area. Although nowadays more of an international band since besides founder, Shyaithan, the rest of the band features musicians from Italy and Australia and over the years many have passed through the bands ranks. Nevertheless during the past twenty years the bands released numerous demos, EPs, splits, live recordings, compilations and seven full-length albums.

1999's, 'Skullfucking Armageddon' is often viewed as their masterpiece as it blends black, death and thrash metal masterfully with a sound that recalls the grim, violent and sinister vibe of destroyers like Bathory, Sarcofago, Sodom, Blashemy, Nunslaughter, Possessed and Morbid Angel all rolled into one.

Probably the first thing one will notice about the recording is that it features an almost rehearsal like resonance to it, which works surprisingly well and just makes the music sound all the more aggressive and old school. Fyraun's guitars have a roaring buzzsaw vibe to them, yet its completely different sounding to the Norwegian Black Metal or the Swedish Death Metal sound... it really just sounds old school in more of a style that reminds me of Sarcofago's, 'I.N.R.I.' or Sepultura's, 'Morbid Visions.'

Fyraun being the only guitarist on the album hits the listener with immense just completely devastating headbanging massive riffs, likewise his commanding leads and those solos just blow me away with their crisp and sharp pummeling vibes. Dajjal's drum work mostly blasts away fiercely on the double bass pedal with occasional rolls and cymbal crashes, but not a whole lot of technicality behind his performance, but not such things are needed for this sort of music. Shyaithan's 4-string demon bass guitar is pretty much completely lost in the production, but on the plus side his vocals are performed flawlessly. Again old school all the way sounding like some of the most violent 80's thrasher vocalists mixed with a proto-black rasp. I also love the way he taunts the listener, for example in, 'Skullfucked - The Speed Metal Hell' he yells out, "Bang your fucking heads, come on!!"

Most of the album could be considered a highlight, because frankly the whole forty two minutes is stunning, but, 'Lords Of Apokalypse' initiates this chaotic hellstorm perfectly after a short synth intro. 'Ironflames of Hate' has some of the coolest headbanging riffs you'll ever hear in this sort of music and both of the solos in this one just completely make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. 'Torment In Fire' the albums final offering really stands out as well since its more of a full on thrasher and the chorus and really just ever thing about it is memorable.

Impiety is still touring America at the moment with a few dates left before heading down to Mexico. Personally I saw them a few weeks ago in a small rehearsal room that was formerly a funeral home amongst about thirty people here in Wisconsin. They were selling the re-issue of this album as well, which you'd do well to pick up since this is surely one of the better examples of old school black, death and thrash metal mixed perfectly together.