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Hellkommander's sound hearkens back to the mid 80s when Death Metal had its beginnings as one of the first extreme subgenres. Bands like Celtic Frost, Possessed, Death, Venom and Bathory all started to implement some of those extreme elements. When it came to Brazil, the country produced Sepultura, Krisium and Sarcofago. Back then, old school was a term of honor, a rule not to be trifled with.

If you were thinking Hellkommander was a reincarnation of one of those earlier bands, think again. Formed in 2005, they release one demo and their only full-length album to date, Death to My Enemies, via Dark Sun Records. Two years later, High Roller Records re-released Death to My Enemies on vinyl. If you want rawness, you surely get it here. Sadly, that rawness and the album's wicked magic are not enough to overcome the utter simplicity of the songs, which become mediocre quite quickly. At only 30 minutes, you get the old school on its dirtier side, but not a historic example of what was. The riffs, beats and whatnot never become anything more than plain. As power chords flow, it's hard to find something original (not that everyone needs to be original.)

On this album, Hellkommander chose to use an average of two or three riffs per song, while not adding solos (shame, dudes, this is the old school we are talking about here.) Some of their tracks are downright boring. Hellkommander chose to be straightforward, evil and scary. This is fine, but why not put a little more into the music? And what is with the gooey, weird part on "Morbid Obsession?"

Despite those negatives, there are a few tracks that leave a lasting impression. Death to My Enemies has its share of Scream Bloody Gore or Seven Churches moments, but never lives up to them. While it does not seem that Hellkommander are likely to inspire anyone, they should not lose hope. Heads up, dudes! Brazil always delivers!!