With Biochemterrorism, Goatpenis delivers a stunning statement of intent—one that not only reshapes expectations, but firmly places them in the upper echelon of South American extreme metal. Long known to the underground faithful, this release stands out as a creative and tightly executed blend of blackened thrash, bestial warfare metal, and even flashes of melodic black metal that feel entirely their own.
What immediately stands out is the clarity of the production. For a band often associated with sheer sonic violence, the guitar tone here is razor-sharp without being sterile, cutting through the mix with menacing precision. There's a surprisingly melodic backbone to the riffing—repetitive in a hypnotic, calculated way—that gives the material an almost triumphant edge without ever sacrificing its violent core. It’s not unusual to find yourself humming along to passages long after the record ends, which is not something you’d expect from a band often pigeonholed into the “war metal” tag.
Rather than wallowing in nonstop chaos, Biochemterrorism displays a refreshing sense of pacing. The band doesn’t rely exclusively on relentless speed—mid-paced sections emerge at the right moments, giving songs a sense of dynamics and narrative. These shifts allow the faster parts to hit with even more devastating impact, creating a rhythmic ebb and flow that is both hypnotic and militaristic.
The vocal performance deserves special mention—an unholy growl that avoids the typical thrash scream or high-pitched rasp. Here, the vocals are guttural, reverberating, and soaked in reverb, adding an arcane, subterranean quality to the assault. They sound less like a frontman and more like a demonic broadcast from some underground bunker.
Goatpenis has managed something rare on Biochemterrorism: they’ve taken elements that might seem played out—blast beats, tremolo riffs, bestial fury—and recontextualized them into something purposeful and eerily memorable. For newcomers and long-time fans alike, this album is a powerful reminder that there is still evolution to be found in extremity. Unrelenting, atmospheric, and surprisingly catchy—this is one of the strongest statements from the South American scene in years.
