Thrash Metal

Yer Metal Is Olde: Nifelheim – Servants of Darkness

By Mark Z. on August 1, 2020 in Yer Metal Is Olde, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 12 comments

“There’s something immensely satisfying about listening to musicians who are utterly devoted to their craft. In the realm of blackened thrash, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who fits that description more than Nifelheim‘s founding members, Swedish twins Erik “Tyrant” and Per “Hellbutcher” Gustavsson. These are the guys who apparently kicked out their first guitarist for being “wimpy” enough to have a girlfriend, the guys who once claimed that Venom is the most recent band they actually like.” Trve darkness.

Deathstorm – For Dread Shall Reign Review

By Holdeneye on July 29, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 34 comments

“I’m not sure how many times I’ve referenced Death in my reviews this year — and I’m too lazy to go back and check — but I feel like it’s been more often than would usually be expected. It seems like more and more bands are embracing the unique musical and vocal stylings that Chuck unleashed upon the world during his tragically short life, and I see this growing tribute movement as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it shows that Schuldiner’s legacy is alive and well, his genius living on as intellectual stardust in the body of work created by his imitators. On the other, it’s hard not to be disappointed when you listen to something that sounds like Death and have it not actually be fucking Death.” Death be not gone.

Devastator – Baptised in Blasphemy Review

By Mark Z. on July 12, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 22 comments

“Earlier this year Midnight showed us a Rebirth by Blasphemy, now Devastator keep the party going by showing us what it means to be Baptised in Blasphemy. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of goats, Satan, and fukkin headbangin’ involved.” Goat show.

Poltergeist – Feather of Truth

By El Cuervo on July 7, 2020 in Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 18 comments

“Switzerland’s Poltergeist are a better-established band than I had initially realized. Sitting pretty with 4 previous albums spreading back to 1989, they benefit from a degree of metal legitimacy, having produced music in the same decade in which thrash metal came into existence. Following a 23-year hiatus, their 2016 comeback suitably impressed the prior AMG reviewer with their tasteful references to many of their better-known 80s contemporaries. 2020 sees their fifth full-length unveiled and it’s called Feather of Truth. Ghost ticklers.

Pessimist – Holdout Review

By Holdeneye on July 3, 2020 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 53 comments

“Pessimist. How about that for a band name in the year of our demise that is 2020? While originally slated to cover some German power metal this week in the form of Goblins Blade, I handed that apostropheless, potential 4.0 off to Huck so I could cover some German thrash with a grouchy name.” Holdenout.

The Third Kind – Man vs Earth Review

By Mark Z. on June 24, 2020 in Reviews, Hardcore, Thrash Metal, 2 comments

“As a reviewer, it always feels good when you correctly identify a band’s influences. Hmm, I thought to myself upon first listening to The Third Kind‘s Man vs Earth debut, this kind of sounds like All Out War. It turns out there’s a good reason for that. Formed in 2015, Kind count All Out War guitarist Taras Apuzzo amongst their ranks, along with other members from a slew of New York hardcore bands.” Earth had it coming.

Lamb of God – Lamb of God Review

By L. Saunders on June 18, 2020 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 48 comments

“Through impressive early career highs to the middling mehs of some of their later material, Lamb of God have remained committed to their craft amidst tides of turmoil, persevering through some sizable obstacles. Now following a five-year gap between albums, Lamb of God return with their anticipated eighth LP, a self-titled effort.” Lamb-fisted.

Vampire – Rex Review

By Grymm on June 17, 2020 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 17 comments

“When we last heard from Swedish vampires, err… Vampire, they impressed me in 2017 with their Castlevania II/80’s inspired With Primeval Force, and although it didn’t crack my Top Ten(ish) that year, it still worms its way into my listening sessions on a continual basis around these parts. I was beginning to worry that the merry (undead) quintet would lay dormant, so imagine my surprise when the higher-ups threw Rex at my lap and told me to get on that shit, pronto.” Rex the necks.

Anonymus – La Bestia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on June 14, 2020 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 18 comments

“We don’t hear a lot of Spanish in my part of Ontario, and I’d think there’d be even less in Franco-centric Quebec, where Anonymus hails from. They’ve been at this thrash metal thing since 1989 and have written entire albums in English and French. With La Bestia, they’re officially a trilingual thrash troupe.” Plenty of tongue.

Moonlight Haze – Lunaris Review

By Dear Hollow on June 10, 2020 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, 46 comments

“Angry Metal Guy’s latest n00b interrupts your regularly scheduled black metal to bring the ultimate question: is power metal metal? “It has the word metal in it, so of course it is, you babbling bumbling baboon,” you say. I get it, and it’s been proven again and again, but while various facets of the metalverse have to justify why they’re not rock, power metal is one of the only styles that must justify why it’s not pop.” Justify our love.