Baphomet’s Blood |Second Strike |Dying Victims Productions (Reissue)

Release Date June 19^th, 2026
Format LP/CD
Genre Heavy/Speed Metal
Origin Italy

Baphomet's Blood emerged from the Italian underground during the early 2000s with one goal in mind, fast, rough heavy metal rooted in the spirit of the NWOBHM explosion and the first wave of European speed metal. The band's image, lyrics and attitude revolve around leather, alcohol, Satan, motorcycles and old school metal culture without dressing it up in modern ideas or polished presentation. Across its releases, Baphomet's Blood has built a reputation through raw energy and a stripped down songwriting approach that puts riffs and speed before technical displays. "Second Strike", originally released in 2008, became the band's second full length and continued the path opened by its predecessor without changing direction. This 2026 reissue from Dying Victims Productions finally brings the album back on vinyl and introduces it on CD for the first time, giving newer listeners another chance to hear one of the band's most recognizable releases.

Recorded with a raw production that stays true to its underground roots, "Second Strike" runs on sharp guitar riffs, straightforward drumming and vocals that sound wild without covering the instruments. There is little interest in refinement, every song goes straight for speed and old school heavy metal hooks, borrowing as much from early British metal as from the rough edge of German speed metal. Themes circles around Satan, heavy metal devotion, nightlife and alcohol fueled rebellion, subjects that have always been part of the band's world. The cover of Tyrant's "Making Noise And Drinking Beer" closes the album in fitting fashion and underlines where Baphomet's Blood draws its inspiration. The reissue changes none of the original character, it simply presents the album in formats that have been difficult to find for years.

"Second Strike" does exactly what it promises. Fast riffs dominate almost every minute, backed by simple rhythms and a raw atmosphere that refuses to smooth out any rough edges. The guitar work is the main attraction, throwing out one classic speed metal riff after another, even if several ideas stay close to established formulas. The vocals suit the rough style, though they occasionally become one dimensional across the album, especially when the songs rely on similar vocal patterns. The songwriting does not wander into unexpected territory, relying on direct structures that place riffs above everything else. Some songs leave a stronger impression than others, although the overall quality remains consistent enough to make the album easy to revisit.

There are moments where the pace becomes predictable, and a little more variation would have helped separate some songs from each other. Even so, the energy rarely drops, and the enthusiasm behind the performances is obvious throughout the album. Baphomet's Blood never sounds restrained, and that commitment gives "Second Strike" much of its appeal. Fans of polished modern speed metal productions may find the rough recording difficult to accept, while listeners raised on the raw underground style of the 1980s will recognize exactly what this album is about. It is a straightforward speed metal release with memorable riffs, genuine passion for the old style and enough attitude to stay entertaining long after its running time is over.

|7.0