ALBUM REVIEW
WÖMIT ANGEL – Spermhamforash
Punk-rooted black/thrash with direct aggression.
Emerging from the underground scene of Tampere, Finland, in 2010, WÖMIT ANGEL have developed a style that makes little effort to draw clear boundaries between black metal, thrash metal, and punk. Instead, they bring the most aggressive elements of all three together. "Spermhamforash" is the latest chapter in a musical direction the band has pursued throughout its previous releases. What stands out here is less an attempt to forge a new fusion of genres than a determination to preserve the rebellious, punk-fuelled attitude at the heart of traditional black/thrash.
Spanning approximately 35 minutes and comprising eleven main tracks, the album immediately establishes a high-tempo approach with its opening track, 'Let There Be Satan'. Blast beat-driven drumming, abrasive guitar riffs, and black metal-style screams establish WÖMIT ANGEL's musical identity from the outset. Nevertheless, the album's rhythmic framework does not rely on an uninterrupted display of speed. Mid-paced and slower passages interspersed between the faster sections give the compositions more room to move while allowing the thrash metal elements to come through more prominently. The punk influence is particularly evident in the straightforward, no-frills riffing and the music's overall attitude.
The use of tremolo picking during the faster sections reinforces the black metal side of the band's sound, while occasional melodic touches in certain riffs prevent the music from becoming an entirely monotonous exercise in aggression. These melodic elements are never developed enough to establish an atmosphere of their own; instead, they provide brief variations within the tracks' dark character. The solos, which retain an old-school extreme metal approach, fit naturally into this overall framework. Rather than relying on flashy technical passages, the guitar work draws on the genre's traditional vocabulary, reinforcing the album's musical cohesion.
Although black metal screams dominate the vocal delivery, occasional growls add a different kind of aggression. Brief spoken passages also appear here and there, demonstrating that the vocals are not confined to a single technique. These variations, however, are never developed to the point of altering the album's fundamental character. WÖMIT ANGEL use vocals as a direct and forceful means of expression, much like the instrumentation itself.
The track titles and lyrical themes also clearly reflect the band's provocative approach. Subjects such as Satanism, sexuality, and nuclear warfare, considered alongside titles like 'Spermhamforash', 'Ghoulctopusch', 'Carved Cross with 666 Eyes', and 'Death-Fire-Sodomy', create a world that aligns with the aggressive aesthetic of the music. Provocation never becomes a separate spectacle that overshadows the band's musical identity. Its connection to punk ensures that this attitude extends beyond the visual or lyrical level.
The album's production presents this raw character while maintaining clear separation between the instruments. With its guitars and drums sounding powerful, the record benefits from a professional recording approach without sacrificing instrumental definition in pursuit of a dirty, uncontrolled sound. This choice is significant in understanding WÖMIT ANGEL's relationship with old-school black/thrash aesthetics. The album's rawness stems not from technical shortcomings or a muddy mix, but from the construction of the riffs, the directness of the performances, and the musical choices themselves.
The band's discography, beginning with 2012's "Sodomatik Rites of I.N.R.I." and continuing through "Holy Goatse", "Impaling Force of Satan", "Under Sadistic Pressure", and "Sadopunk Finland", demonstrates how long WÖMIT ANGEL have embraced the combination of black/thrash and punk. "Spermhamforash" remains firmly within that tradition. Consequently, its merits should not be sought in a radical change of direction or an attempt to redefine the genre's established boundaries. WÖMIT ANGEL's approach is built around keeping the traditions of classic extreme metal alive through punk's uncompromising and confrontational spirit.
"Spermhamforash" largely delivers the energy and directness demanded by this musical approach. It is a satisfying release, particularly for those drawn to the faster riffs, blast beats, and old-school soloing associated with black/thrash. However, its limited melodic and structural variety makes for a more familiar experience for listeners expecting the band to venture beyond its established formula. What WÖMIT ANGEL stand for here is not a claim to innovation, but the preservation of underground metal's provocative, punk-rooted freedom of expression. That attitude defines both the character and the limitations of "Spermhamforash".
https://womitangel.bandcamp.com/music