ALBUM REVIEW
BAPHOMET'S BLOOD – In Satan We Trust
Raw, riff-driven, traditional Speed Metal.
Hailing from San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, BAPHOMET'S BLOOD adopted a more refined recording approach on their fourth album, "In Satan We Trust", released in 2016. The raw, unrestrained Heavy/Speed Metal of their first three albums gives way here to tighter performances and more clearly defined riff arrangements. The new 10th-anniversary edition, released by Dying Victims Productions, also provides a welcome opportunity to revisit this particular period in the band's career.
The eight-track album is built around high-speed Speed Metal that frequently borders on Thrash Metal. Its rhythmic foundation carries the Rock 'n' Roll spirit of Motörhead, while the guitars' sharp, straight-to-the-point riffs bring BAPHOMET'S BLOOD's musical identity into clear focus. The approach recalls the German Speed Metal scene of the mid-1980s, with occasional nods to early SODOM, TANK's hard-edged Rock 'n' Roll attitude and BULLDOZER's uncompromising approach. These similarities help put the band's influences into perspective, but it would be unfair to suggest that BAPHOMET'S BLOOD simply surrender their identity to those reference points.
The guitar work takes on greater prominence here compared to the band's earlier releases. The riffs are not merely there to support the high-speed momentum; they directly shape each song's character and memorability. 'In Satan We Trust' and 'Hellbreaker' are particularly good examples of how the riffs retain their own sense of movement even as the pace remains consistently high. Brief rhythmic breaks and subsequent bursts of speed prevent the songwriting from becoming locked into a single tempo. 'Underground Demons', meanwhile, introduces a slight variation in the album's overall flow through its more restrained vocal delivery. Even so, the band never strays far from the fundamental Speed Metal formula.
'Command of the Inverted Cross' opens with an orchestral arrangement and choral vocals, immediately setting it apart from the rest of the album. This theatrical introduction serves as a brief prelude, bringing a Satanic horror-film atmosphere into the music. As the track progresses, however, that atmosphere gives way to the band's familiar high-speed attack. Similarly, the spoken samples featured in 'Triple Six' and 'Whiskey Rocker' reinforce the album's horror-film aesthetic. These are not experimental flourishes that overshadow the songwriting, but rather elements woven between the songs to complement the album's visual and thematic world.
On the rhythmic front, the double-bass drumming and relentless forward momentum enhance the impact of the guitar riffs. That said, not every track moves at the same pace. 'Infernal Overdrive' incorporates heavier passages to demonstrate how shifts in tempo can influence the songwriting, while 'Whiskey Rocker' balances its faster sections with brief interruptions. Although these subtle variations keep the album from becoming monotonous, its overall compositional approach remains firmly rooted in tradition.
Necrovomiterror's vocals are one of the album's more debatable aspects. His rough, smoky delivery, occasionally reminiscent of Lemmy Kilmister, fits comfortably with the band's Rock 'n' Roll-infused approach to Speed Metal. On the other hand, his performance falls short of the strength and character of the guitar writing. The instruments also benefit from a more controlled and defined production, moving away from the loose, amateurish character of the band's first two albums. This change brings greater musical cohesion, but also leaves behind some of the raw charm that made those earlier recordings distinctive. Consequently, while "In Satan We Trust" represents a more streamlined phase of BAPHOMET'S BLOOD, it may not be quite as appealing to listeners who prefer the unrestrained energy of their earlier material.
The album closes with 'Elég', a cover drawn from the repertoire of Hungarian Heavy Metal band FÁRAÓ. Reworked in a way that suits the band's own musical character, the track rounds off the eight-song offering without straying from its overall direction.
"In Satan We Trust" remains faithful to Speed Metal's traditions of speed, riffs and Rock 'n' Roll, presenting them through more disciplined production and a more mature performance. It is difficult to argue that this is the strongest album in BAPHOMET'S BLOOD's discography; listeners who favour "Second Strike" in particular may understandably consider it a step below. Nevertheless, the development in the guitar writing and the tighter song structures make it a noteworthy entry in the band's catalogue. For those who value the directness, breakneck pace and dirty Rock 'n' Roll spirit of classic Speed Metal more than the pursuit of innovation, "In Satan We Trust" still delivers.
