Megadeth

Hazzerd – Delirium Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on January 23, 2020 in 2020, Canadian Metal, M-Theory Audio, Reviews, Thrash Metal, 19 comments

“While I relish the disgusting lurch and crawl of Asphyx and Autopsy, I’ve never been able to shake my love of blistering, thrashing metal. Reign in Blood kicked down the door, and through that door has charged classics like Slaughter’s Strappado, Merciless’ The Awakening, and Morbid Priest’s Spectrum of Death into my iron heart and album collection. I can’t get enough of the stuff, but after listening to …And Justice for All again, I rediscovered my enjoyment of that vein of thrash as well – Metallica was my gateway into metal, after all. Hazzerd is a relatively young Canadian band who play this second type of thrash.” Speed Hazzerds ahead.

Surgical Strike – Part of a Sick World Review

By Holdeneye on January 21, 2020 in 2020, German Metal, Metalville, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 42 comments

“Surgical Strike had its beginnings in 1993 and put out a couple of demos before going on hiatus for nearly twenty years. Reforming in 2014 with vocalist Jens Albert as the lone link to its past, the band released an EP in 2016 and now present their first official entry into the German thrash canon. And a solid entry it is.” Speed sickens.

Reign of Fury – Exorcise Reality [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 6, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 12 comments

“I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first listened to Reign of Fury. For those of you that don’t remember, or weren’t alive during that time, Reign of Fury’s 2015 release, Death Be Thy Shepherd, was so good it landed atop my year-end list. As I read over the words I wrote long ago, three things are clear. First, I’m still a shitty writer. Second, boy, a lot has changed in what seemed like a perfect life for ole Grier. Third, Exorcise Reality is no Death Be Thy Shepherd, Part Deux.” Reality bites.

Algebra – Pulse? Review

By Holdeneye on October 15, 2019 in 2019, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Thrash Metal, Unspeakable Axe Records, Thrash Metal, 52 comments

“On their third full-length, Pulse?, Swiss thrashers Algebra explore some science not-so-fiction topics like artificial intelligence and robots through a groovy yet technically proficient thrash lens. Chaos Edy handles lead guitar and vocal duties. His grunts are reminiscent of those of Max Cavalera, and when combined with the bouncing and aggressive riff style of Phil Void and the lyrics warning of future societal calamities, you can’t help but feel that the spirit of classic Sepultura is being conjured.” Math kills.

Slaughtbbath – Alchemical Warfare Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on September 17, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Chilean Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 20 comments

“Time to draw ourselves a Slaughtbbath, folks. What bathing in slaughtb feels like is known to those who heard 2013’s Hail to Fire, the predecessor of Alchemical Warfare and Slaughtbbath’s debut. I took a Slaughtbbath many times via Hail to Fire, which is the least important qualification I possess to review that record’s successor. My most important qualification? Look at my pen name, and then look at the title of this record; Slaughtbbath and I share an enjoyment of gratuitous Slayer puns.” Rub-a-drub-drub.

Armata – Destiny Awaits Review

By GardensTale on August 22, 2019 in 2019, Australian Metal, Hellfire Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 22 comments

“I may be a big ol’ dork for it, but I fucking love karaoke. The local rock bar has organized a few Heavy Karaoke nights, where the list includes the likes of Amon Amarth and Bloodbath alongside the usual Bonnie Tyler and Aerosmith. There’s something about getting on a tiny stage and growling your best rendition of ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ in front of an audience too drunk to care about the quality of your voice, and loudly applauding a shy and visibly shaken girl for a surprisingly good Nightwish performance is downright wholesome. That does not, however, mean I want to be reminded of karaoke when I listen to an album.” Destiny derailed.

Licence – N.2.O.2.R Review

By GardensTale on August 2, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalapolis, Reviews, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“I love complex music as much as the next metalhead. The potential for progressive structures and technical wizardry are some of the elements that set rock and metal apart from most other forms of contemporary music. But sometimes, I just want to kick back with something that’s catchy and dumb, and if there had not been plenty of people who agree with me, we’d never have had glam metal.” Expired.

Emerald – Restless Souls Review

By Dr. Wvrm on May 26, 2019 in 2019, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Rock of Angels Records, Swiss Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 74 comments

“Emerald is a time capsule. The two years since our last meeting grayed the shit out of me, but their Swiss cheese popped out just as chipper and evergreen as I remember. I suppose I should appreciate knowing what to expect. 24 years on and 8 albums in, Emerald found their niche and niched the hell out of it. They’re the anti-power power band, the least dense of the heavy metals, sitting too squarely in the center of the palate to love or loathe. Vim without vigor, vinegar without piss, a good script but a poor adaptation. You know the drill—or do you?” Broken gems.

War Curse – Eradication Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 14, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 70 comments

“Now, don’t get me wrong, being the child of the thrash era, I love when a song turns on end and a chugging lick crescendos into a neck-snapping attack. But, I also miss the days when a band could write a thrash classic that wasn’t waiting around for that mid-song savagery. War Curse also remember those good ol’ days. That’s why they gave us Eradication.” War Curse (and Pepperidge Farms remember).

Interview with John Kevill of Warbringer

By Dr. Wvrm on March 18, 2019 in American Metal, Blog Posts, Interviews, 119 comments

“I tested my mettle (and my liver) on the famed 70,000 Tons of Metal this month and somehow convinced real metal PR folks that I was a real metal journalist. This may or may not have something to do with them thinking I was the Angry Metal Guy, despite my insistence otherwise. As fortune would have it, John Kevill, vocalist and founding member of thrash metal savants Warbringer (and a personal favorite since he was cool as hell to me in a venue bathroom in 2009 (wait, that sounds off (or does it?))), was willing to sit down for a bit. In true Warbringer fashion, John went right at it regarding his thoughts on metal journalism, context, and thrash metal writ large and was as thoughtful, forward, and unapologetic as his music.” Starting wars.