Having rather disappointingly not emerged from the mist-shrouded bowels of a spooky castle hidden within the haunted forests of nineteenth century Transylvania, but hailing instead from modern day Gothenburg, Sweden, Vampire do their best to transport you to such creepy, bat-infested locations with their form of horror inspired Black/Thrash Metal.

Formed in 2011, the band (then still a three piece) released a demo a year later which drew acclaim from Darkthrone‘s Fenriz on his Band of the Week blog, and released their debut album, the self-titled Vampire (Century Media) a couple of years later in 2014.

With original members Hand of Doom (vocals), Black String (guitars), and Command (bass) replacing drummer Ratwing with the bewilderingly named Abysmal Condor (obviously, Appalling Kestrel, Inadequate Vulture, and Ghastly Pigeon didn’t quite make the grade), and adding a second guitarist, the similarly bizarre Sepulchral Condor, the band set about recording the follow-up, With Primeval Force (Century Media).

Taking their cues from the likes of Venom, Bathory, (early) Slayer, and Celtic Frost (expect a couple of patented Tom G Warrior “OOH!”s along the way), Vampire choose their influences wisely, and there’s a lot of spooky necro fun to be had on their sophomore release.

Setting its stall out immediately, ‘Knights of the Burning Crypt’ sounds like all of the aforementioned acts all rolled up into one jagged little ball of blackened, rusted metal. ‘Metamorfosis’ is laced with classic Megadeth, ‘Revenants’ has a Black Metal vibe and a stupidly groovy main riff, ‘Ghoul Wind’ and ‘Initiation Rite’ are both hook-laden cuts of thrashy aggression, and atmospheric closer ‘Scylla’ rounds things off nicely.

The production is clear and strong but still suitably old school, there’s not too much offered in the way of diversity, but the riffs come at you thick and fast, hitting you with such quality and infectious energy, that any lack of variation can be swiftly and easily forgiven.

8.0/10

GARY ALCOCK