Thrash Metal

Dust Bolt – Awake the Riot Review

By Steel Druhm on May 23, 2014 in 2014, German Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 10 comments

“You know, we just don’t review enough thrash metal anymore. It’s all that damn death metal we waste our days discussing. It makes us forget the simple joys of a speedy, jacked up dose of aural frenzy ripped right from 1986. Luckily for us all, Dust Bolt is around to remind us, and their sophomore album Awake the Riot is designed with German precision to do just what the title says. As on their Violent Demolition debut, these chaps rock a hybrid of Kreator circa Extreme Aggression and Coma of Souls and the classic Bay Area sound, especially Slayer.” Ready to drop your retro cash on some retro thrash?

Blood Of Kings – Starvation Review

By Dr. Fisting on May 13, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Tridroid Records, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 5 comments

“Whenever a band can non-ironically cite Angel Witch and Tank as influences, you pretty much know what you’re in for. On their début album Starvation, Seattle trio Blood of Kings plays the sort of proto-thrash that used to be called “speed metal” back in the day. These days we don’t call it anything, because we’re too busy drinking heavily and buying back patches on eBay.” Need something new to go with that vintage back patch? Royal blood always jazzes things up nicely!

The Blight of Re-Recordings: Manowar, Flotsam & Jetsam, Do-Overs and Resting on One’s Laurels

By Steel Druhm on February 24, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Magic Circle Music, Metal Blade, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 39 comments

“I’m not much of trend follower or fad supporter (except that whole Pet Rock thing, which was mint). Contrarian nature aside, one trend invading the metalverse that really boils my lobster is the whole “re-recording of classic albums” thing. Ever since I paid $40 for an import of Sodom’s Obsessed by Cruelty on CD only to discover it was a completely different version than the one I grew up worshipping, my hatred of re-recordings has run strong and deep.” Steel Druhm has been stewing over the whole re-recording craze for a while and he’s finally snapped. In hindsight, assigning him both of these re-recordings seems dubious.

Will of the Ancients – To Our Glorious Dead Review

By Grymm on February 21, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, 11 comments

“There’s something to be said about wearing influences on your sleeves. I may hail from the blackest forests of Southern New Hampshire and primarily enjoy black metal, but I have a soft spot for well-played power metal, old-school thrash, and melodic death metal. I’m known to geek out at the sound of a well-crafted guitar melody, soaring vocals, and urgent drumming. But, never in a million years would I picture it all on one album.” Grymm gets a shock, and you just might too!

Hatriot – Dawn of the New Centurion Review

By Steel Druhm on February 17, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 9 comments

“In a time when thrash feels increasingly tired and done-to-death, I was happily surprised by Hatriot’s 2013 debut, Heroes of Origin. Helmed by semi-legendary thrash vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza (ex-early Testament, ex-Exodus), the band strip mined the riff vaults of classic Exodus and spewed out a vicious, angry disc of poser killing speed with an enormous 80s feel and only the slightest of nods to the past 20 years in musical advancement.” And now they’re back with more 80s thrash! Is it another breath of fresh skull tank, or is something getting a bit stale? Steel Druhm reports, you decide.

Suicidal Angels – Divide and Conquer Review

By Steel Druhm on January 24, 2014 in 2014, Greek Metal, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 3 comments

“Just weeks into 2014 and I’ve fallen off the rethrash wagon for a second time. That’s because long-suffering Greek thrashers Suicidal Angels are back with a fifth album full of music striving to recreate the second wave of Bay Area thrash. Naturally, that means heaps of Exodus, Slayer, Vio-Lence worship and where you stand on that is a wholly personal issue. While I only became aware of these chaps on their past few albums, I’ve never been totally sold on their brand of rethrash. It’s always reasonably enjoyable, competently performed, meat-and-potatoes speed, but there was always a sense of “been there, done that, got punched by the bouncer” about it that left me on the sidelines.” Did you know thrash was as big a part of Greek culture as gyros and big weddings? Me either.

Omnivore – Omnivore Review

By JF Williams on January 22, 2014 in 2014, Italian Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 2 comments

“Reductivity is hard to resist when reviewing a band like the Italian death/thrash 4-piece Omnivore. If I were lazier, my review of their self-titled debut would be comprised entirely of Youtube links to various songs by Sadus, Kreator, Demolition Hammer and early Sepultura. I’d be a jerk, but accurate nonetheless.” JF Williams is a jerk, but he’s our jerk, so it’s okay. BTW, here’s more re-thrash.

Legion of the Damned – Ravenous Plague Review

By Steel Druhm on January 10, 2014 in 2013, Dutch Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 16 comments

“2014 is here and it’s time for the Metal Show to begin anew! And what better way to raise the curtain on the sixth year of AMG than with… retread thrash! Yes, yes, you’ve all had your fill of thrash, re-thrash, retro-thrash and frash, but as long as bands keep spitting this stuff out, we in the reviewing biz have a duty to review it… and it’s a BIG duty!” When the call of duty is heard, Steel Druhm jumps in the skull tank and reviews thrash metal from the Netherlands. Thank him for his service.

Artillery – Legions Review

By Steel Druhm on November 20, 2013 in 2013, Danish Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 3 comments

“I love the first two Artillery albums. I’ve said so often and I’ll continue to trumpet the work those great Danes did until I’m in the cold, hard ground. Since I went on an Angry Metal Tirade about this very topic in my review of Artillery’s 2011 My Blood opus, I’ll digress from further gushing here. Suffice it to say, since those treasured platters, Artillery has had its share of ups and downs, with My Blood being particularly unimpressive and legacy bruising. After some line up tweaks and a new vocalist, they’re B.A.C.K. with Legions and a slightly new approach while still trying to resurrect their former greatness.” The first family of Danish thrash is back again and this time, they don’t make Steel Druhm weep at the grave of their former greatness. That’s good, since we hate seeing the guy cry black tears of wengeance.

Satan’s Wrath – Aeons of Satan’s Reign Review

By Madam X on November 13, 2013 in 2013, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 9 comments

“It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told.” “It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.” “Yes, it will, Precious, won’t it? It will get the hose!” Just like Buffalo Bill strutting his handiwork, Satan’s Wrath have returned full of, thrashy, blackened, Greek bombasity. They’ve recovered their Frankensteined Venom and Possessed skin-suits from the far reaches of their respective musty wardrobes and with the help of their trusty BeDazzler, they’ve given them a brand spanking new lease on life!” BeDazzled by the Devil? What else needs to be said about this homage to old school black/death/thrash and all things Venom and Possessed. Nothing!