Musings: Raptore - Blackfire

Raptore is the brainchild of singer/guitarist Nico Cattoni. The band was initially formed in 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two years after the release of their 2016 debut album Rage N' Fever, Cattoni relocated his base of operations to Barcelona, Spain and started from scratch with a brand-new band. Raptore also signed with a label that happens to be a purveyor of some of the finest heavy/speed/thrash/trad metal in the form of Dying Victims Productions. Blackfire, their sophomore record, is the result of these major changes and is an absolute banger of an album.

Let me preface this article by saying that this record is like a highly-addictive drug. Start listening to it and you won’t be able to stop. The fact that it’s got a brisk 32-minute runtime only makes it easier to hit the repeat button and play it again, Sam. Blackfire is speed/thrash metal done right times ten. Six years have elapsed since their first effort and every single aspect of Raptore has improved. From the higher production values to a tighter-sounding band, Cattoni’s command of the English language to all-around excellent musicianship, this 8-song collection is flawless. With influences from KISS, Accept, Exciter, Iced Earth with a little hair metal and NWOBHM thrown in for good measure, what we have here, folks, is a winning record.

Don’t let the soft piano intro of “Triumphal March to Hell” fool you—this song will rip you in half and spit on your remains. I even hear echoes of Pantera’s Cowboys from Hell in there. “Prisoner of the Night” has got a catchy chorus and riffs galore. The title track is a killer tune and is a highlight of the album with its big hooks and massive riffs. “Devil Ascends” is fast and frantic, featuring an awesome guitar solo. “Phoenix” is melodic and memorable and could easily have come out in the ‘80s. Maybe my favorite track of the record. “Demon’s Lust” is another stellar song and has an anthemic quality to it. “Dirge” is a short, quiet and gorgeous instrumental. The album comes to an end with the appropriately-titled “Death”, a barn-burner of a song with a throbbing bassline.

Not enough people are talking about this incredible album right now. It needs—deserves—to be heard by the masses! So, crank up the volume to 11, grab a couple of cold ones, and let yourself be blown away by Raptore’s Blackfire. It’s a phenomenal occult/demonic-inspired throwback to the glorious speed metal of the ‘80s. It’s definitely one of the three best albums of the year in my book.

Dying Victims Productions’ Bandcamp page for Blackfire: https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/raptore-blackfire

Raptore on Bandcamp: https://raptore.bandcamp.com/music