All Against is a groove metal band from Portugal that has previously released two albums: I Am Alive (2001) and The Day of Reckoning (2023). Their latest record, Straight Down to Hell, delivers eight aggressive tracks, mostly played at high speed.
The band’s energy is undeniable, and they certainly have some solid riffs to offer. Vocalist Henrique Martins switches between growling, screaming, and clean singing. However, I struggle with the clean vocals—they come across as slightly irritating. The drumming also feels a bit repetitive, often sticking to the same tempo, which makes the album drag after a while.
The track Nepotism features a blatant rip-off of Dave Lombardo’s legendary drum break in Slayer’s Angel of Death. Such an obvious copy feels strange, but aside from that, drummer Ricardo Tito does a solid job throughout the album.
Straight Down to Hell is a decent record, even if it lacks originality. Over time, it becomes somewhat monotonous, but I’d imagine that All Against puts on a strong live performance. Their energy on the record suggests they are even more intense on stage.
Released March 14, 2025 on Raging Planet.
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