Sadistic Force – Midnight Assassin
Review By: Jim Harrison
Review Score: 9.0
Blackened speed metal band Sadistic Force will follow up their critically acclaimed debut album Aces Wild from 2021 with their new release Midnight Assassin through Goat Throne Records on October 13, 2023.
This release is actually on a Friday the thirteenth and that just adds to the excitement.
The Austin Texas trio consists of James Oliver vocalist/guitarist, Blaine Dismukes bass and Jose Alcaraz drums bring an even faster more brutalized heavy sound continuing from the debut album.
The eerie cover artwork was done by artist Timbul Cahyono who has worked with other bands such as Knife, Massacre and Malevolent Creation and sets the visual direction of what’s to come.
Oliver James is quoted as saying “Midnight Assassin is a record steeped in blood and terror” and after the first listen it hits you like a fist.
The album starts with a quick intro ‘The Unseen Force’ which has an ominous horror sound to it breaks into the second track ‘Corpsewood Curse’ which lights the album on fire right out of the gate. The heavy drums and bass thump along the fast guitar creates a pace of how fast and heavy this band is. The guitar solo is killer and the vocals snarl this song to completion.
‘Speeding Black Leather Hell’ is the first single released and gives the listener a sneak peek into how strong this album sounds. The sheer speed of this song and Oliver’s massive vocal performance makes this song a top thrash track in 2023. Musically this song could have been easily on either of the first two Metallica albums it has that vibe.
‘Midnight Assassin’ is one of two of my favourite tracks as the drums and bass give this song such a heavy groove. It has a doom/blackened thrash change ups throughout that give this song an old school vibe modernized for today’s listeners.
‘Nuremberg Nights’ starts with a great drum intro into a serious fast speed metal flow. The sneaky bass line gives this a darker sound and the vocals are thick giving this song a Slayer vibe.
“The Butchers Apron” takes you on a thrash journey with that thick, crunchy guitar sound. I love how it slows than takes off, another killer drum track. The vocals really showcases on this song.
‘Marked For Death’ is my other favourite track on this album. There is an ebb and flow to this song slowing than speeding up with a quick drum solo sending this track in a different direction. This is a cool effect as it keeps the listener engaged and guessing where it will go next. This would be an awesome song to see live.
‘Campaign of Sin’ has an interesting sound to it, possibly a southern rock groove that I can only describe as Pantera mixed with a Motörhead vibe. Make no mistake this is a heavy song and sounds amazing. This track highlights the musical diversity of this band.
The last track ‘Howl Of The Horde’ finishes this album off on a high and creates a bone crushing ending to one hell of an album.
This album is what being a metal fan is all about as this band is vocally and musically talented with fantastic writing. Sadistic Force encompasses so many different metal genre’s that there is something for every metal fan.
This band gives homage to the old school sound bringing a versatile relevancy that makes this such a killer release.
I recommend picking this album up and cranking it up to eleven.
Sadistic Force is:
James Oliver: Vocals/guitar
Blaine Dismukes: Bass
Jose Alcaraz: Drums