Album Review: Bonehammer - Black Crust Invasion (2019)

Nomen est omen. Buenos Aires-based trio Bonehammer called their debut album "Black Crust Invasion", and that is exactly what you get. For a bit more than half an hour the Argentinian Metal Punks serve their audience with dirty and crusty attacks made from Black Metal, Stenchcore, Crust Punk and rotten Rock'n'Roll.

Formed in 2018, Ódnüfak, Onahíram and Alaph already present their first longplayer which was released via Awakening Records in November 2019. The album contains a dozen tracks of mid-tempo and some faster crusty and metallic Punk Rock. Omnipresent attribute is the pitch black atmosphere decorated with the sweet taste of beer and raised fists.

As the backbone of the "Black Crust Invasion" Alaphs drums hammer straight forward with Thrash, Black and Metal Punk rhythms. Onaharím fills the gaps between the hits with his massive bass guitar on which Odnüfak thrones with his crunchy, distorted Metal guitar riffs. Then and when Onaharím adds to the atmosphere by high-tone keyboard passages. On top of this crusty building there are Odnüfaks throaty, deep growls and shouts which sometimes interchange with screeching Black Metal vocals by Onaharím.

Bonehammer stand in tradition of artists such as Amebix, Bathory, Hellhammer and Discharge. Also, their attitude as well as their kind of humour remind me of White Trash Voodoo and Control Poison. Humourous aspects are to be found especially in the track 'Blues of Perversion' and the stenchy Motörhead cover 'March ör die'.

Nevertheless, the cynical approach conveyed in Bonehammers lyrics originates in serious and severe issues. The band addresses our contemporary world and its issues with poverty, injustice, conflicts around the globe and brutalisation in general. "Black Crust Invasion" is the album for those who don't want to take it any more and thus resist to the garbage the world gives them. It is also the album for those who didn't use their sense of humour and smilingly raise both middle fingers in the face of injustice.
I am delighted by the power load Bonehammer present on their first album. "Black Crust Invasion" comes with everything a Metal Punk album needs: mid-tempo destruction, fast attacks, brutal vocals, brachial riffing and a crusty, stenchy aftertaste. My only complaint is the "Hoo! Hey! Hoo! Hey!" passage in 'Dark Pagan Cult'; I know it's satirical, but it still kind og cringy.

Bonehammer Online:
Facebook
Instagram
Bandcamp
Spotify
YouTube