Mephistofeles - Violent Theatre (CD)

Now, the power-trio return with a fucking HARD-rocking new full-length: Violent Theatre. Immediately, this is MEPHISTOFELES at their druggiest best - you can practically hear the sizzle of something brown cooking on its grooves - and thankfully, they've kept their doom locked in the garage. However, whereas so much of the band's not-inconsiderable back catalog is cloaked in darkness, Violent Theatre is not so much sunnier as it is just devilishly fun (just look at that cover!); whether that means "darkness" is left to the bloodshot eyes of the beholder. Still, MEPHISTOFELES continue to maximize the ROCK aspect of their sound over the doom here, with their swagger truly something to behold as those solos just soar downward into the abyss and the rhythm section push and pull right behind. If anything, Violent Theatre is a sterling example of true ensemble playing. MEPHISTOFELES are nothing if not dependable, but just check out the 14-minute epic "Communion of the Vile" for the band really GOING FOR IT.

No other words needed: MEPHISTOFELES are cult for a reason, and Violent Theatre simply proves it further.