Spanish to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature Modern Novel

Los Moretti tomaron las calles sin hacer distinción entre cristianos y sarracenos, ***sembrando el terror con azadas repletas de nudillos***.

Talking about one of the families of brothers in the story, who are always out on the streets looking for trouble. The author has explained that this is just what it seems: a metaphor that has the brothers sowing the seeds of terror with their hoe-like arms. I just haven't managed to think of exactly what to do with it in English. My attempts so far seem so clumsy that I am not sure if I should keep the same imagery as the original. Your suggestions might help me work it out, so thanks in advance.
British English please.
Thanks again. :)