In the mid 80’s, thrash metal was the be all & end all for me. If you were a German thrash band, even better. The Teutonic “thresh meddle” bands were the business, Noise Records had most of the acts signed up and there was a constant output of quality vinyl. You had the “Big 3” of German thrash, Kreator, Sodom (my personal faves) & Destruction plus numerous other bands snapping at their heels, such acts as Tankard, Assassin & Exumer! Continue reading
KREATOR – “Phantom Antichrist”
If you read my Exumer review then you’d know that I have an enormous soft spot for German thrash.
Sodom will always be closest to my heart, (mainly due to happy memories of reading the lyrics to songs like “Burst Command Till War” & giggling my tits off as a kid), but few can deny that the most technically proficient and, dare I use the word, ‘progressive’ Teuto-thrash band were the mighty Kreator. Continue reading
ANGEL WITCH – “As Above, So Below”
OK so Angel Witch will never, in my humble opinion, match the classic self -titled album, ever. It is a masterpiece, just listen to the writing and remember that the whole of the thrash genre spawned by young guys on the west coast of America was as a result of them getting their hands on that very album. Continue reading
CATTLE DECAPITATION – “Monolith Of Inhumanity”
I’m gonna start by saying first off that this is, (along with Dyscarnate’s “And So It Came To Pass”), one of my DM albums of the year so far. No bullshit! I really think it’s that good! Continue reading
CANCER BATS – “Dead Set On Living”
Cancer Bats have been a favourite of mine ever since they surfaced with their brand of Southern infused Hardcore on debut album ‘Birthing The Giant’ and despite sticking to the same blueprint though to ‘Dead Set on Living’ (album number 4) they have found ways to keep the sound from going sterile. Continue reading
BE’LAKOR – “Of Breath And Bone”
If you’re going to ape/rip-off your influences at least have the decency to play it well. Luckily for these Be’lakor chaps that hail from Melbourne, Australia their blatant tribute to Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal is performed with distinction and aplomb. Continue reading
DRÅPSNATT – “Skelepht”
Skelepht is the third album from these atmospheric Swedish Black Metal artists Dråpsnatt, and I was drawn to this album when I heard the title track on You Tube! Continue reading
SIX FEET UNDER – “Undead”
I’ve been a big fan of SFU’s output since 95’s “The Haunting” (with the exception of the incredibly naff “Graveyard Classics Vol 2”, I mean, covering the whole of AC/DC’s “Back In Black” album….. what were you thinking Barnes??”) No one does good, basic, no frills, groovy death metal quite like Barnes & the boys. Continue reading
NE OBLIVISCARIS – “Portal Of I”
This is something very special from Down Under. I was only introduced to the music of Ne Obliviscaris a short while ago, but have been completely addicted to them since then. Continue reading
WODENSTHRONE – “Curse”
Well then, Wodensthrone, Black/Pagan metal from England. After the masterpiece that was ‘Loss’ I have to admit that I was slightly worried about the follow up, since the ‘loss’ , no pun intended, of a vocalist and the fact that it has taken some time for the album to emerge. Continue reading