In two years, the Boulder, Colorado trio known as Satan's Host has gone from a veteran band with virtually no name recognition and their share of ups and downs (mostly downs) to a band that could have easily challenged the likes of Dissection in their prime. The re-releases of Burning the Born Again... and Satanic Grimoire have only solidified the band's status into the minds of the unsuspecting masses. So what does that leave for their latest album Great American Scapegoat 666? Read on to find out.
As with their previous releases, Great American Scapegoat 666 has everything that one would expect from Satan's Host: a good combination of death, thrash, and black metal all rolled into one, booming vocals reminiscient of Satan himself, and the over-the-top Satanism that is evident throughout the album. What makes Great American Scapegoat 666 stand out from the previous releases is that much of what makes the album work is crisp production which ensures that every ounce of evil can be heard, not to mention the sound that can almost make ears bleed, even at tolerant levels. Even the slow parts are on the mark, as evidenced by Azrael: Death Wing Angel. The instrumental 7 Strings, Sin is a 30-second guitar solo that harkens back to when heavy metal was all about the solos, which should please the old-timers. Even though the sound actually combines elements of death, thrash, and black metal, it is almost impossible to tell when the band is doing which genre because the transitions are seamless and everything works well with one another, particularly with the emphasis on power over speed.
As for weaknesses, the album can go overboard on the Satanism, as evidenced on Hail Satan. Even the best Satanists should have a limit on how much Satanism should be pushed into their craniums. The only other discernable weakness on the album lies primarily on Infernal Victory, which is basically a lead in to Throne of Baphomet. However, this one is more passable because when things are working well, you do have to indulge superstitions. In this case, the superstition is having thirteen tracks, as was the case on Satanic Grimoire.
Ultimately, Great American Scapegoat 666 is an album that should be in anyone's collection who considers themselves fans of metal music, whether they believe in Satan or not. If you can get past the overt Satanisms, then you will enjoy this album. Of course, if you haven't heard of Satan's Host, then go out and buy Burning the Born Again..., Satanic Grimoire, and Great American Scapegoat 666 and hear what you have been missing.
-Dr. Pete
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