Bokkerijders - Crush Kill Destroy

Opener 'Ashen Scream' wastes no time, throwing us straight into a heavy, thrash-infused attack. High-pitched black metal screams clash with occasional darker vocals, while rapid tremolo picking and bursts of blast beats give the track its raw, dirty character. Creative riffs and a surging bass line keep the momentum high, but it is the relentless drumming that really drives everything forward. Fast, filthy and forceful, the combination makes 'Ashen Scream' feel like it simply rolls straight over you, exactly the kind of opening statement this album needs.

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The title track 'Crush Kill Destroy' keeps the opener’s momentum alive, with a distorted yet melodic riff and hard-hitting drums pushing the song from mid-paced territory into a full-throttle attack. As it progresses, however, the composition becomes slightly chaotic and long-winded between the vocal passages. Tightening these sections could make the song hit even harder without sacrificing any of its aggression. Vocally, things get even dirtier, with cavernous, almost spat-out screams adding plenty of filth. A frantic solo matches the energy perfectly, firmly pushing the track into blackened thrash territory. A great piece with just a little room for tightening.

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'Primordial Phosphorous Eclipse' opens with melodic riffing and a prominent bass line before thunderous blast beats crash into the mix. Primal screams and spat-out growls dominate the track, yet never completely overpower the instrumentation, allowing drums, guitars and bass to maintain their own presence and keeping the composition surprisingly cohesive. One of the biggest surprises arrives in what sounds like a distorted bass solo, adding an unexpected texture before another energetic guitar solo takes over. Chaotic on the surface, but impressively controlled underneath.

'Bokkerijders' initially slows things down with a heavier approach rooted firmly in old-school black metal. Epic melodies emerge through almost narrative guitar lines, while marching drums give the track a commanding sense of momentum before precise blast beats tear through the atmosphere. The vocal delivery remains suitably vicious, with occasional gang shouts adding another layer of force. As the song progresses, the black metal foundation gradually gives way to a sharper blackened-thrash attack, making the transition feel natural rather than forced.

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'Fire Chaser' closes the debut without giving you much room to breathe. A dual-guitar attack immediately hits hard before blast beats whip the melodies forward, creating the kind of relentless energy that makes me want to hear this live with my fist raised high. Deeply primal, agonised screams and whimpers add even more filth, while occasional melodic undertones briefly cut through what is otherwise pure hate and riffs. The biggest contrast arrives during the final minute, as the violence suddenly gives way to calming acoustic guitars and ethereal sounds. After an album built largely around aggression, it is an unexpectedly beautiful way to bring everything to an end.

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With "Crush Kill Destroy", BOKKERIJDERS deliver a debut that is raw, filthy and bursting with energy. Black metal and thrash collide through vicious vocals, relentless drumming and riffs for days, while melodic details and unexpected turns keep the aggression from becoming one-dimensional. A few sections could be tighter, but overall, this is one hell of a first statement.

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SCORE 8/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY