Stress Angel are a death/thrash metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Punished by Nemesis contains 40 minutes of atavistic metal that’s easy to enjoy. It’s all scorching riffs, pounding drums, and fierce attitude. What’s not to like? Stress Angel have a natural charisma, and this album is loads of fun.
Mixing old-school death and thrash metal with first wave black metal, Punished by Nemesis comes across as a blending of bands such as Celtic Frost, Kreator, Venom, Possessed, Death, Aura Noir, and Autopsy. It’s remarkably authentic, and really quite good.
Stress Angel have a firm grasp on their style, and play their material with obvious relish. Through quality riffs and primeval character, Stress Angel’s music is moreish and engaging. It’s thoroughly old-school, but the way that the band take their influences and pay tribute to them is satisfying indeed. The death and thrash elements complement each other seamlessly, while the first wave aspect allows the band to not only have vocals with personality, but to also stray into other musical waters here and there, adding flavour, creative flourishes, and macabre atmosphere to the songs.
Stress Angel have produced a very enjoyable album. Punished by Nemesis is firmly recommended for lovers of pure, old-school, classic extreme metal, now matter the genre.
Wonderbox Metal 