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TOXIKULL
Under The Southern Light

Dying Victims Productions (2024)
Rating: 8/10

The smoke has cleared since Portugese metalheads Toxikull released their sophomore effort Cursed And Punished in 2019. Just like the 2016 debut Black Sheep, it was another 80s obsessed throwback which choked on its own smoke machine vapours and leather smelling sweat.

With Under The Southern Light there’s no real change, but these Lisbon lunatics have a certain charm and quality that does tap into the past without being forced or fake. This is fiery classic metal that isn’t afraid to be flamboyant or raw, and so what you get is a wonderfully melodic record that channels a number of genres within the 80s metal field whether it’s Saxon, Dio, Judas Priest or even Exciter on the formidable opener ‘Night Shadows’.

Under The Southern Light is consistently lively, the axework frequently casts off hot embers and the drums and bass rattle like a ghost train, but it is the vocal assault of guitarist Lex Thunder that propels this outing to greater heights, adding extra fizz to what is already a striking platter. Songs like ‘Battle Dogs’, ‘Ritual Blade’ and ‘Around The World’ all sizzle like volatile combinations of Accept, Warlock and just about any other metal band you can think of, but it’s such a rich, melodic sound that is available and there are plenty of sing-along segments too.

Toxikull are clearly evolving into quite a beast, so climb on the back of this magic dragon and ride the flames because this is a hot one.

Neil Arnold

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