It's always a great thing to check out new, lesser-known underground Metal bands from some of the most exotic places in this world, especially when they have something decent to offer.

This 4-piece Speed/Thrash Metal band hails from Ciudad del Este, Alto Parana, Paraguay. As for their history, in a nutshell, they have been around since 2008 and have released one demo, Under Fire, in 2011 and two full-length studio albums so far, with Strange Aggression being their debut album. Musically they play very 80s-tinged, old-school Thrash Metal, actually very close to Metallica's Kill 'em All at times, but with way more variation in their song structures. Mastermind's sound has all the essential elements for decent-sounding Speed/Thrash Metal: it's aggressive, hooky, and full of great riffs. It sounds like the guys have fun and it's surprisingly addictive and entertaining. Cesar Ortigoza on bass and vocals knows how to ape young Mr. Hetfield and Mr. Mustaine. What I found extra fine about this disc was that they have succeeded in the production department too; each instrument is in balance with each other, and none of the instruments comes screaming red straight in your face. In other words, one could say Mastermind kick ass on all possible levels. I'm rather impressed with how ready the band is to conquer a little slice of the world with their excellently executed Speed and Thrash Metal. Therefore, it's hard not to recommend this one.