Bloodletter – Leave the Light Behind (Review)

Bloodletter - Leave the Light BehindBloodletter are a thrash metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

Leave the Light Behind contains 35 minutes of well-written melodic thrash metal. Bloodletter bring something to thrash that I haven’t heard in ages – pure, unadulterated quality craftsmanship. I normally pass on thrash metal these days, but this one wouldn’t let me go. Continue reading “Bloodletter – Leave the Light Behind (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)”

Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)

Wormwitch Sadistic Ritual - SplitWormwitch are a black metal band from Canada and Sadistic Ritual are a thrash metal band from the US.

Barring a couple of singles in 2022, this is the first we’ve heard from Wormwitch since 2021’s Wolf Hex, (also make sure you check out 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within if you haven’t already), so these three songs – 16 minutes of new material – are a welcome sight. Continue reading “Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)”

Venom Inc. – There’s Only Black (Review)

Venom Inc. - There's Only BlackThis is the second album from Venom Inc., a thrash metal band from the UK.

Featuring two members of the legendary Venom, as well as a current and ex-member of bands such as Inhuman Condition, Kill Division, and Wombbath on drums, There’s Only Black contains 54 minutes of raging metallic heaviness that should have any fan of old-school thrash metal salivating. Continue reading “Venom Inc. – There’s Only Black (Review)”

Maligner – Attraction to Annihilation (Review)

MalignerMaligner are a Swedish death/thrash metal band and this is their debut album.

On Attraction to Annihilation Maligner offer up 30 minutes of savage death/thrash metal. This is some quality stuff. Continue reading “Maligner – Attraction to Annihilation (Review)”

Alastor – The Dark Tower (Review)

AlastorAlastor are a Portugese blackened thrash metal band and this is their sixth album.

Here Alastor give us 48 minutes of furious blackthrash, and they do it surprisingly well. I say ‘surprisingly’ only because I find this kind of subgenre quite disappointing most of the time, but must confess that when it’s done right, I really take to it. Continue reading “Alastor – The Dark Tower (Review)”

Exalter – Persecution Automated (Review)

ExalterExalter are a thrash metal band from Bangladesh and this is their debut album.

Exalter’s 2016 release Obituary for the Living was a strong and confident blast of aggressive thrash, and Persecution Automated continues what they started on their earlier work. Continue reading “Exalter – Persecution Automated (Review)”

Damnation Festival – Leeds University, 04/11/17 (Live Review)

Damnation Festival Header

It’s once more time to gather in Leeds for this year’s Damnation Festival. With another amazing lineup, this is a festival that’s a definite milestone in the yearly metal calendar.

Damnation Stage Times Continue reading “Damnation Festival – Leeds University, 04/11/17 (Live Review)”