Hutch straps on his bullet belt, pentagram necklace and executioners hood and blasts some blasphemic anthems from Midnight as he reviews their new album… Hellish Expectations!!

Ahhh, blackened thrash metal! If you don’t love this hybrid genre, then get your coat, for this is a glorious combination that is written purely to be played live. If you’ve ever seen Midnight, then you’ll know what I mean. If not, then it’s time to sort your life out.  

I have no idea what number album this is for Midnight, but it follows the explosive Let There Be Witchery and 2020’s filth drenched Rebirth by Blasphemy. And it’s just as dirty as the previous two releases.  

To be fair, Hellish Expectations is as good as you’d expect. It’s ten tracks of high octane blackened thrash, that does exactly what it says on the (imaginary) tin. Throw in your best Motörhead anthems, add a bit of Venom and Bathory, and you’ve got the sprawling dirt that is Midnight.  

It’s something you’ll either die for or allow to decompose in the gutter. Divisive to the extreme, Midnight brings it with an intensity that few can match. From the brutal intro Expect Total Hell, with the gargled screams that kick things off, all the way to final song F.O.A.L, which faces the same full frontal aural assault – it is Fuck Off and Live after all! 

Every song comes at you with the same frantic pace as the one before. The longest song here is seconds over three minutes, whilst the average savage delivery is well under that time. It all adds to an explosive album that shows no signs of slowing. Even the gunge filled groove of Mercyless Slaughter, with its slower grind, works on a level that will only anger the purists.  

Let’s face it, if you like Devastator, then you’ll like Midnight. If you don’t, well, I feel sorry for you. This album rips with an aggression that shouldn’t be allowed. Play it fast, play it loud, But just play it!!  

Out via Metal Blade Records on the 8th March… All Hail!!