Location: Lima
Country: Peru
Genre: Thrash metal
Format: Digital album
Label: Selvajaria Records (Portugal)
Release date: September 4, 2023
With Maze of Terror’s new EP "The Night Where The Evil Prevails," we have horror and gore films that have been covered numerous times by thrash and death metal bands. Are we going to need another album for this? My answer is, why not? In light of the changes in the film industry and the growth of independent media in general, maybe it’s more relevant than ever to write about classics such as “Friday the 13th” and “Nightmare on Elm St.” And maybe a newer movie or two.
I've followed this Peruvian band almost since the beginning, and I still recall reviewing their earliest releases. I noted then how their songs reflected their desire to make an impression in every underground community where they were heard. It was their musicianship, production quality, and enthusiasm for recording that most engaged me. On their latest EP, it’s all still part of the formula. Even though not much has changed since 2015, the band continues to put all their energy into what they compose.
The lineup is the same as on "Ready to Kill" (2016) with the exception of guitarist Razor, who is currently involved with a Peruvian black/thrash metal band called Sordid. Upon refreshing my memory with that album, I'm struck by how rough-hewn and barbarian the band's new material sounds. Meanwhile, they come across as being more experienced, skilled musicians. The Kreator/Destruction influences are still evident, with characteristics similar to Chuck Schuldiner's early Death material.
A greater emphasis is placed on proto-death metal bellicosity, grittier guitars, and tighter transitions between time changes. The lyrics of their previous EP "Into the Jaws of Terror" (also worth hearing) were heavily inspired by the occult, forbidden rites and revolt against the divine. The sound was generally more polished, but quite coarse and unrefined. Although they make no effort to produce something more spotless, their coarse, unrefined characteristics balance their proficiency nicely.
As I mentioned, there are songs based on "Friday the 13th" ("Immortal Butcher") and "Nightmare on Elm Street" ("Nightmare in the Street of Hell"), as well as "Messiah of Darkness" based on 1976's "The Omen". I have seen the remake and the 2016 series "Damien" and I believe that either of those can be related. Although I'm not certain where the inspiration for "Horrorvoid" came from, I'm guessing Fulci's "City of the Living Dead" was it. My favorite song is "Evil Cannibal"; which seems to be influenced by Deodato's "Cannibal Holocaust", but I could also relate it to Eli Roth's "The Green Inferno". It is best to ask the band for clarification, but at any rate, this is an EP I recommend. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Leviathan: Bass, vocals
Criminal: Guitars
Hammer: Drums
Track list:
1. Evil Cannibal
2. Inmortal Butcher
3. Nightmare in The Street of Hell
4. Horrorvoid
5. Messiah of Darkness
6. Outro
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