For the past 25 years, Masacre have been among the most championed bands in the Medellin, Colombia Death Metal underground. After releasing several demos in the late 1980’s the band focused its sound into the cataclysmic masterpiece known as “Ola De Violencia.” This EP, recorded and released by the band in 1991 has for decades stood as a powerful testament to the potential for the oppressive darkness and massive power inherent in Death Metal. The three tracks on this EP reveal Masacre’s penchant for devastating and brooding riffs infused with melancholic passages that accentuate the morose atmosphere the band captures. Without warning, however, Masacre frequently erupt into violent blasts of evil, unleashing torrents of hate and aggression heralding the arrival of the more sinister Black Metal sound that was then beginning to cast its shadow across the metal underground. After releasing their debut LP, “Requiem,” in 1991, Masacre returned in 1993 and unleashed the “Barbarie y Sangre en Memoria de Cristo” mLP. With that mLP Masacre refined their approach, tightening the production and adding greater dimension and technicality to the songs without sacrificing any of the brutality. These two releases exemplify what may arguably be characterized as perfect Death Metal production. These recordings cannot rightfully be described as highly produced, but neither can they be called raw or primitive. The recording quality suits the bestial and violent cacophony of sound in the more ferocious parts while simultaneously allowing for the technical and melodic elements of the band’s style to emerge out of the dense roar of chaos when necessary. What really contributes to the success of these recordings is Masacre’s exceptional ability to merge rabid hostility, atmospheric darkness, and stylistic technicality. One would not be faulted for suggesting the possibility that no other band so masterfully achieved this goal in that era of Death Metal.

Tracks 1-3 from Ola de Violencia MLP
Tracks 4-7 from Barbarie y Sangre en Memoria de Cristo MLP