ASHES REBORN Contamination CD

The 2018 album Contamination by the Portuguese band Ashes Reborn, released through Firecum Records, is a significant milestone in the group's discography that solidifies their presence in the national death/thrash metal scene. Hailing from Guimarães, the quintet delivered a sophomore effort characterized by high-energy, galloping rhythms and a punchy production that bridges the gap between old-school death metal brutality and the precision of modern thrash. The album features nine tracks that explore grim themes of political corruption, social decay, and the manipulation of the masses, including standout pieces such as Sound the Alarm, Policy of Fear, and the visceral title track Contamination. Musically, the record is anchored by the aggressive, growled vocals of Alfredo Teixeira and a relentless rhythmic assault from drummer Zé Carlos and bassist Manuel Sousa, while guitarists João Filipe and Tiago Xines provide a dense layer of sharp, technical riffing. Unlike more experimental branches of the genre, Ashes Reborn focuses on a direct and mosh-pit-ready approach that has made them a staple of the underground circuit in the Minho region of Portugal. By releasing this through Firecum Records, the band ensured a professional physical distribution that captured their raw live energy, paving the way for their subsequent growth and their 2024 follow-up, In Captivity.