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BEHAVIOUR
Rex Imbecilic

Best Foe (2023)
Rating: 7.5/10

In 1989 a Brazilian thrash metal band named Behavior was created. Two years later a demo entitled Infested Brains was issued into the underground and a year later was followed by another tape, Murder’s Picture. Sadly, these demos made little impact outside of Brazil and by 1994 Behavior had faded into further obscurity.

Fast forward to 2022 and original band members Eduardo Jarry (vocals) and George Medeiros (drums) returned as Behaviour. The band moniker may have succumbed to a subtle change but the death / thrash style hits far harder. Now accompanied by guitarist Thyago Trajano and bassist Eduardo Amorim, Jarry and Medeiros seem to have found the right ingredients with a debut full-length record that not only pulverises but enlists the talents of extreme metal stars Fernanda Lira (Crypta / ex-Nervosa) and Kam Lee (Massacre / ex-Death).

Rex Imbecilic is a very heavy album that will hopefully drag the band from the depths of the underground and shed new light on their talents. Obviously this outing is a world away from those old demos; to an extent there is a late 90s feel about the opus with the chesty vocals, the simple yet fluid riffs and even the production values.

There are plenty of rapid outbursts coupled with steady chugs, but the ferocity is key here and really comes to the fore on ‘Trust No One’ which features guest vocals from Kam Lee. To an extent there is a Massacre feel about a few of the tracks; belligerent and brutal thrashings deep in their riffs and vocal attacks. ‘Black The Day’, with guest vocals from Fernanda Lira, is a personal favourite with its rattling bass and jagged stomp. Meanwhile, the title track is an absolute juggernaut with its chugging, as is ‘Valley Of The Mad’.

This is an extremely consistent album that doesn’t shy away from melody although remains heavy in its stance. But as is often the case, music of this style just wants to mash your head in and Rex Imbecilic succeeds.

Neil Arnold

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