Sanity’s Rage – The Dead Don’t Run (Review)

Sanity's Rage - The Dead Don't RunThis is the second album from Belgian thrash metallers Sanity’s Rage.

Way back in 2012 I encountered You Are What You Swallow, and I liked it a great deal. Over the years, it’s stood up well, and always reminds me that thrash metal can still be hugely enjoyable when played well. Then after that, nothing. No idea why. But now, unexpectedly, something. The Dead Don’t Run, in fact; 47-minutes of well-written, well-built thrash metal. Continue reading “Sanity’s Rage – The Dead Don’t Run (Review)”

Testament – Para Bellum (Review)

Testament - Para BellumTestament are a legendary thrash metal band from the US. This is their 13th studio album, (14th if you count First Strike Still Deadly).

At this stage Testament should need little introduction. They’re an absolutely classic band, and a long time favourite of mine. I’ll link the reviews of their last two albums here – Brotherhood of the Snake / Titans of Creation – as a precursor to Para Bellum, but basically with Testament you know that at the very least you’re going to get a very good metal album to headbang around too. Continue reading “Testament – Para Bellum (Review)”

Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)

Sarcator - Swarming Angels & FliesSarcator are a Swedish thrash metal band and this is their third album.

Sarcator play a black/death-influenced style of thrash metal, and Swarming Angels & Flies contains 44 minutes of material. Think of a blend of early-period old-school metal in the form of bands such as Kreator, Sarcófago, Sodom, and Morbid Angel, and then blend this with more contemporary acts like Hellripper, Devastator, and Midnight, and you’ll be on the right lines. You can throw in some other refences too at various points, but ultimately, despite the ancient style that underpins this album, it’s remarkably fun and fresh sounding. Continue reading “Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)”

Black Sites – The Promised Land? (Review)

Black Sites - The Promised LandBlack Sites are a heavy/progressive metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

The Promised Land? is the 44-minute follow up to 2021’s enjoyable Untrue. That record was a strong one, narrowly missing on on my end of year list. I’m interested to see how The Promised Land? fares by the end of the year, as it’s arguably even stronger than its predecessor. Continue reading “Black Sites – The Promised Land? (Review)”

Nuclear Tomb – Terror Labyrinthian (Review)

Nuclear Tomb - Terror LabyrinthianNuclear Tomb are a death/thrash metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Nuclear Tomb play an intriguing mix of death and thrash metal that combines a ferocious attack with progressive wanderings and idiosyncratic layers. Exploding across 33 minutes, Terror Labyrinthian impresses with its ambition, scope, and beating heart of passionate steel. Continue reading “Nuclear Tomb – Terror Labyrinthian (Review)”

Devastator – Conjurers of Cruelty (Review)

Devastator - Conjurers of CrueltyThis is the second album from UK black/thrash metallers Devastator.

Conjurers of Cruelty boasts 51 minutes of material, (44 without the two bonus tracks), delivering a feast of filthy riffs, corroded teeth, and overgrown claws. Continue reading “Devastator – Conjurers of Cruelty (Review)”

Inculter – Morbid Origin (Review)

Inculter - Morbid OriginInculter are a thrash metal band from Norway and this is their third album.

Many, many, many moons ago thrash metal was one of my favourite genres. However, when compared to other genres these days, thrash just doesn’t hold my attention like it once used to. However, this is where Inculter come in to show people how it’s done. Their classic thrash attack hits the sweet spot between old-school hero worship and contemporary passionate energy. Continue reading “Inculter – Morbid Origin (Review)”

Intent – Exile (Review)

Intent - ExileThis is the second album from US thrash metal band Intent.

Intent play classic thrash metal with a brutal, aggressive edge.

Intent furiously tear through 39 minutes of blistering thrash. The band like to play fast, and do so Continue reading “Intent – Exile (Review)”

Hell Fire – Reckoning (Review)

Hell Fire - ReckoningThis is the fourth album from US metal band Hell Fire.

Hell Fire play a nostalgic mix of heavy and thrash metal, taking influence from the NWOBHM and the 80s Bay Area respectively. Reckoning is a 45-minute true metal ride. Continue reading “Hell Fire – Reckoning (Review)”

Algebra – Pulse? (Review)

Algebra - Pulse

This is the third album from Algebra, a thrash metal band from Switzerland.

Having been impressed with 2014’s Feed the Ego, it’s been far too large of a gap between Algebra releases for my liking. Well, there’s almost an hour of material on Pulse?, including a fiery Sepultura cover, so I feel like the band have made up for their absence. Continue reading “Algebra – Pulse? (Review)”