Slayer

Flames – Resurgence Review

By Steel Druhm on June 29, 2022 in Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 28 comments

“As a dedicated teenage metalhead in the 80s, I lustily sought every new act I could get my greasy ape paws on. Few bands escaped my iron sights and I was willing to try pretty much anything out there to see what struck a nerve. Somehow, someway, Greek speed/thrash act Flames evaded my metal detector then and in all the years thereafter up until this last month. Formed in 1984, Flames spewed out a series of platters that transitioned over time from classic speed metal to technical thrash with slight death elements, culminating in 1996s In Agony Rise. This means they’ve been in some kind of deep cryonic state for 25 years, but they’re out now and seem very pissed off, so we get their seventh album Resurgence.” Greek fire burns forever.

Demiricous – Chaotic Lethal Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 10, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 43 comments

“When you listen to Demiricous’ first two records, they clearly didn’t know what sound, style, or production they wanted. One is more At the Gatesy and relatively dynamic in the mix. The other is a Hatesphere punishment that makes your ears scream in pain. Back in the saddle, Demiricous has brought all their death/thrash influences together on Chaotic Lethal.” Chaotic good or chaotic bad?

Disembody – Reigniting Hellfire Review

By Saunders on April 19, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Ah, who doesn’t like a hellish blast of blackened thrash mayhem? While it may not top my list of metal drugs of choice, nor do I claim the expertise or passionate dedication to the style as our resident Z-man, it regularly delivers a refreshingly crude, ragged, riff-ready charm that goes down easily. Best served raw and unpolished, Finland’s Disembody, um…. embodies, the retro characteristics often found in the subgenre, pulling influences from the darker corners of ’80s thrash and imbuing these fast, fiery traits with ample doses of vitriolic blackened mayhem and grim first wave crudeness.” Disnuance.

The Troops of Doom – Antichrist Reborn Review

By Steel Druhm on April 14, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 40 comments

“Here’s an interesting release for you. The Troops of Doom (likely named for the classic Sepultura song) are a new Brazilan thrash/kinda-sorta death metal act, having only formed in 2020. Despite the project’s relative youth, the various members are grizzled scene vets with years spent in many other metal acts. On their Antichrist Reborn debut, they offer an interesting blend of classic thrash and death influences full of righteous nods to the big names that influenced them. The core sound is very much in line with early Sepultura material like Schizophrenia and Beneath the Remains, but vintage Slayer riffs percolate throughout and inform the writing, and the band’s deep Celtic Frost appreciation also becomes apparent on several tracks.” Old dogs, nasty bites.

Misfire – Sympathy for the Ignorant Review

By Holdeneye on April 12, 2022 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 41 comments

“Sympathy for the Ignorant is ten tracks and 38 minutes of groove-centric thrash metal. Misfire’s sound walks the line between pure thrash and crossover and really doesn’t care which side of the line you want it to stage-dive into. I hear similarities to some of the big-name crossover bands like Enforced and Power Trip.” Thrash til dive.

Blood Torrent – Void Universe Review

By Maddog on April 11, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 27 comments

“I miss the 1980s. There’s a special place in my heart for bands that foreshadowed the development of extreme metal while keeping one foot firmly planted in their thrash or NWoBHM roots, like Sodom, Venom, and Slayer. German first-wave black metal enthusiasts Blood Torrent agree. We get lots of promos that cite early-90s second-wave bands as influences, but it’s rarer that albums purport to revive their mid-80s ancestors.” Blood and olde treasure.

Deathhammer – Electric Warfare Review

By Holdeneye on March 6, 2022 in Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 17 comments

“Norway’s Deathhammer probably need no introduction as they’ve achieved some notoriety by releasing a string of full-lengths, demos, EPs, and splits—with some form of release almost every single year—since their formation back in 2005. My personal experience with the band is fairly limited, but I do own 2015’s Evil Power and consider it to be a good-to-very good example of the early, chaotic thrash sound. I skipped 2018’s Chained to Hell despite its stellar artwork, but let’s see what Deathhammer sounds like in 2022.” Hammer will hurt them.

Slob – Deepwoods Shack of Sodomy Review

By Ferox on March 2, 2022 in Reviews, 50 comments

“These here boys ain’t right in the head. UK duo Slob graces the world with a debut that dares to ask the question: “What if the hayseed rapists from Deliverance started a brutal death metal band and wrote a whole bunch of songs about sodomy?” It would be tempting to nickname these gentlemen “Gay Panic: The Band,” except Slob isn’t just interested in the kind of sodomy practiced belowdecks in the Royal Navy. Instead, they present us with an expansive and all-inclusive vision of the act.” Sodomy, sodomyou.

Hammr – Eternal Possession Review

By Holdeneye on February 8, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Punk, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 49 comments

“I’m kind of obsessed with hammers. Write a song about hammers, and I’ll probably like it. Include “hammer” as part of your band name, and I’ll probably like your band. In a roleplaying game, make hammers a wieldable weapon, and, by god, I’m going to wield one (or two). I don’t know how to build shit, but I own a framing hammer and sleep with it next to my bed for personal protection. I use a twenty-pound sledge for my conditioning workouts, often while Asphyx’s “Deathhammer” plays in the background on repeat. Anyway, now you know why I felt so compelled to give Cleveland’s Hammr a swing.” Hammr time.

Nekromantheon – Visions of Trismegistos [Things you Might Have Missed 2021]

By Saunders on January 21, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Thrash Metal, 34 comments

“Norwegian trio Nekromantheon smashed out a terrific cult hit on 2012’s Rise, Vulcan Spectre. Offering a raw, vicious contemporary take on old school thrash, Nekromantheon draw influence from old school Slayer, Dark Angel and early Sepultura, coupled with a nasty underground edge. Visions of Trismegistos marked the long-gestating and triumphant return from these excellent no-frills purveyors of piss and vinegar fueled thrash.” Nekro mongers.