Pucará IA-58: Matando En El Nombre De Dios | Thrash Metal Straight To The Chin
(2026 – Alteración Mental Records)
Old-school Thrash Metal holds a special place in the Argentine Metal scene, kept alive and active by independent projects and bands such as Pucará – IA 58, which, with its second full-length album now out, affirms and reaffirms its place among that large group of bands that defend the old essence of Thrash Metal from days gone by.
Surely some are wondering what the band’s name means. Pucará, in addition to being a word of Quechua origin meaning “fortress,” in this case refers to the fighter jet designed and manufactured in Argentina, the Pucará IA-58, which is what the band is alluding to with its name.
That said, it’s worth noting that the name Pucará points, above all, to a distinctly Argentine character—not only in terms of theme and concept, but also musically. While Pucará remains firmly rooted in thrash metal, its national identity is unmistakable in both lyrics and music.
“Matando En El Nombre De Dios” is their second full-length album, in addition to several previously released EPs and split albums. Their debut album, released in 2018, marked their unwavering commitment to the classic essence of old-school Thrash Metal—a commitment reinforced on this album through a much more polished production and compositions that reflect the current social reality in Argentina, nothing more and nothing less.
That’s why it’s no surprise that the album opens with the title track of Pucará’s new album, featuring the now-classic intense barrage of riffs, pounding beats, and full-throttle speed—something the band never compromises on, staying true to the purity of the old and beloved Thrash Metal—in a song steeped in social and political reality, and speaking of social themes, we can’t overlook “Insalubridad Pública,” another intense blast of a track that compels us to draw a parallel with Hermética’s well-known “Hospitalarias Realidades,” if only because of the chosen theme, which deals with public health. Musically, the track shifts between different rhythms and an overload of Slayer-esque thrashing.
“Jinetes Del Apocalipsis” continues in the same musical vein, with another high-octane track driven by sheer speed and intensity, but with interesting passages in between that set it apart from the norm, where the versatile bass lines and guitar solos stand out. In that regard, the riffs on “Desolación” are a must-hear, taking Pucará into territory closer to traditional Heavy Metal, with shifts in tempo that showcase the band’s versatility in composition.
However, “Trampa Mortal” returns to the energy of Thrash Metal with a powerful track in both lyrics and music, featuring a tremendous guitar solo—the kind that blows your mind—while “Ella” is the classic thrash tribute to beer.
Perhaps the standout track is “Realidad Paralela,” a song that maintains the purity of old-school Thrash Metal but emerges as the most polished track on the album, making it one of the best songs on this release. The chords and riffs accelerate and decelerate, creating an interesting composition.
The closing track is “Ni Un Paso Atrás,” practically a statement of principles from Pucará—undoubtedly a fierce display of power—in a song that’s sure to become a classic for the band.
Clearly, Pucará’s intention with “Matando En El Nombre De Dios” is not to invent anything new but to reaffirm their commitment to old-school Thrash Metal, and it is from this perspective that we must understand an album that undoubtedly feels much more compact, hard-hitting, and precise than their previous works. Pucará’s evolution should not be viewed in terms of style, but rather in terms of the composition and structure of the tracks included here, which are truly striking and possess ample thrash power, confirming the band’s place in a genre that refuses to be forgotten.
What perhaps sets Pucará apart is its national identity, which stems not only from its music—with a style that is beginning to distinguish itself from other thrash metal bands—but also from its social and political roots, addressing themes closely tied to the national reality. This is no minor matter, despite the persistent claim that the discourse of national metal bands is supposedly outdated. Perhaps reality has remained the same for more than 40 years—or perhaps it has gotten worse. Pucará has the unique ability to describe it, in lyrics and music, and this time, with far greater power and finesse than ever before.
Indeed, the sound featured on “Matando En EL Nombre De Dios” comes across as much more polished, the result of the band’s work at the well-known “Kirkincho Records” studios with recording engineer Jorge Moreno, who knows exactly what Thrash Metal is all about. This sonic refinement doesn’t detract from the raw sound that characterizes the genre; rather, it elevates it, ensuring that every instrument and instrumental line sounds perfect within the lethal sonic blend that Pucará delivers. The album’s excellent mixing and mastering deserve special mention in this regard.
But we must also highlight the cover art for “Matando En El Nombre De Dios,” because even though the illustration on the album cover isn’t entirely original, it clearly signals that we’re dealing with a classic album of pure, straight-ahead old-school Thrash Metal!; The inner sleeve stands out, featuring the song lyrics alongside photographs of the band, presented in an excellent, high-quality design—especially considering this is an independent production—and the effort put into the album truly deserves recognition.
One point worth noting is that “Matando En El Nombre De Dios” is available not only on CD but also on cassette—a definite plus for lovers of physical formats like us. It also deserves a vinyl release.
Pucará reaffirms its presence on the Argentine Thrash Metal scene with a great album and a perfect excuse to revisit the genre’s roots and enjoy the energy and fury that onlyThrash Metal can deliver.
And as is our custom, we’re sharing a lyric video for the song “Jinetes Del Apocalipsis” here, and of course, the band’s social media links so you can follow them and stay up to date on their tour dates and news….
https://www.facebook.com/pucarathrash
https://www.instagram.com/pucarathrash
