Gatefold sleeve and insert. As previously demonstrated on the 2017 debut, Rites of Evil, as well as the demo, two live recordings, and split with Siege Column that have since emerged, these twelve tracks of black/thrash metal once again capture the darkness of first wave black metal and unite it with the aggressive precision of early Teutonic thrash. Previous points of comparison between Evil (Jpn) and early Sodom continue to hold true, as do those that recognize similarities with the most notorious of Japanese hardcore outfits, especially insofar as the unhinged vocal delivery is concerned. Evil is anything but apologetic in its reverence to its metal heritage, which is what lends its recordings such a high degree of authenticity. Possessed by Evil is an unabashed conglomerate of riffs, accentuated by incisive leads and rabidly barked vocals. If there is one notable contrast with the debut album, it would be an increased cohesiveness among the instruments. Whereas Rites of Evil at times felt a bit loose, the performances on this album are characterized by noticeably tighter synchronicity, which one could logically assume to be the result of the band’s greater longevity. In any case, the outcome is one that represents a step forward from an already impressive debut and one that confirms Evil among the best of its black/thrash metal contemporaries.
