Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh at Aeons of Satan's Reign, the second release from Greek extreme metallers Satan's Wrath, or just simply enjoy it for all the early '80s elements that it represents. Let me just state that there's nothing unique, revolutionary, or original whatsoever on this album, and for many people, that's going to be OK. Satan's Wrath obviously worship at the altar of all things Venom, early Slayer, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Hellhammer, and Mercyful Fate...yes, you got that right, the early stages of black & death metal. Plenty of galloping NWOBHM riffs flying around these 8 songs, with gravelly, croaking vocals, crunchy riffs, and tasty harmony leads reminding us all how cool and important this style of metal was. The vocals here aren't especially good (truth be told, in spots they are downright laughable), and the overall playing is solid if unspectacular, but combine it all together and there's something rather charming about this little retro styled affair. "Die White Witch Die", "Only Satan is Lord", and "Ecstasies of Sorcery" are tons of fun, raw, primal slabs of Satanic, early stage black/death metal savagery, and "Lives of the Necromancers" has some riffs & solos that could have easily come off Melissa/Don't Break the Oath era Mercyful Fate. The near 9-minute closing epic title track is chock full of spooky vocal passages, atmosphere, and blazing instrumental sections, at times so over the top it borders on ridiculousness, but hell, I like it!
When it all comes down to it, Aeons of Satan's Reign is a juicy slice of the early extreme metal sounds, and I'd surely rate this higher if it wasn't for the horrible vocals of Tas Danazoglou, who falls too far into pure camp for my liking. I'd love to hear this band with a different singer next time around, but for now, this is fun stuff, if you can get past the vocals.
Track Listing
1. Only Satan Is Lord
2. Die White Witch Die
3. Archfiend
4. Ecstasies of Sorcery
5. Satan's Blood, Lucifer's Fire
6. All of Us Witches
7. Lives of the Necromancers
8. Aeons of Satan's Reign
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