Formed 30 years ago in Germany, by Marcel Braun, who takes care of vocals, guitar and bass on this album, and drummer Carsten Pickbrenner, they were joined by guitarist Florian Triska. The trio are listed as the current line-up, even though there’s a note in the press release saying the album was recorded by Braun with Eryc Botz on drums. This is their second album, with the debut being released in 2000, followed by 2 EPs in 2003 and 2008, with the band going into hiatus after the tragic death of their then bassist Boris Stellmann in 2012. Stylistically it’s Teutonic thrash bordering on death, but I’d say it focus more on being slow and heavy with a groove rather than fast and brutal. The brutality of the songs is in their lyrical content which is a sombre look at society.

The album opens with the title track “Soulf***er”, which is based on the novel “Seelenficker”, which sounds like it ought to be a harrowing read, the vocals have a harsh anger with an undercurrent of sadness to them that the guitar riff emphasises, especially during the lead break over the anguished cries for help.

DR MUSIC RECORDS - MESENTERY / SOULF***ER