Testament – Wonderbox Metal

Testament – Para Bellum (Review)

Testament 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)”

Paradise Lost – Ascension (Review)

This is the seventeenth album from UK metal band Paradise Lost.

I’ve been listening to Paradise Lost since 1992, so any new Paradise Lost release is A Big Deal. Ascension is the 51-minute, (61 minutes with the bonus tracks), follow up to 2020’s Obsidian, and promises Big Things by virtue of simply being a new Paradise Lost album. Continue reading “Paradise Lost – Ascension (Review)”

Jenner – Prove Them Wrong (Review)

This is the second album from Serbian thrash metal band Jenner.

Prove Them Wrong contains 45 minutes of classic thrashing metal the likes of which you don’t commonly encounter in 2023. It’s very endearing and top fun – Jenner know how to play this sort of thing that’s for sure. Continue reading “Jenner – Prove Them Wrong (Review)”

Game Over – Hellframes (Review)

This is the fifth album from Italian thrash metal band Game Over.

I find I have a low tolerance for thrash these days, much lower than I used to have. I’m not sure why, but it just doesn’t grab my attention like it once did. However, there are exceptions, and, for whatever reason, Game Over are one of them. Continue reading “Game Over – Hellframes (Review)”

The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)

This is the second album from Greek power metallers The Silent Rage.

Nuances of Life contains 58 minutes, (with bonus tracks), of melodic power metal. It’s an album that should find favour with fans of the heavier, grittier side of the style. For a starting point for The Silent Rage’s music, imagine a mix of Nevermore, Iced Earth, Angel Dust, Judas Priest, and Testament. Continue reading “The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)”

Intent – Exile (Review)

This 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)”

Ominum – Monument (Review)

This is the debut album from Swedish thrashers Ominum.

Featuring members of Sonic Assault, Monument contains 56 minutes of face ripping thrash metal. Ominum operate on the heavier end of the thrash spectrum, with an emphasis on crushing guitars, harsh vocals, and biting extremity, but without stepping too far into extreme metal waters. Continue reading “Ominum – Monument (Review)”

Heart Attack – Negative Sun (Review)

This is the third album from French thrash/heavy metallers Heart Attack.

Described in the promo blurb as “the lovechild of Gojira, Machine Head and early Metallica”, this is a decent starting point for approaching Negative Sun. Across 45 minutes, (including a Genesis cover as a bonus track), Heart Attack unleash a mix of old and new thrash/groove/heavy metal, (with a touch of hardcore), and do so with passion and charisma. Continue reading “Heart Attack – Negative Sun (Review)”

Defiatory – Apokalyps (Review)

This is the third album from Swedish thrash metal band Defiatory.

Following on from 2016’s Extinct and 2018’s Hades Rising, Apokalyps delivers 36 minutes of Defiatory’s Bay Area-influenced thrash. Continue reading “Defiatory – Apokalyps (Review)”

Act of Denial – Negative (Review)

This is the debut album from Act of Denial, an international melodic death metal band.

Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as Death, Decapitated, Ephel Duath, Septic Flesh, and Testament, as well as the superlative singer of Soilwork/The Night Flight Orchestra, I was eagerly awaiting this release to see what kind of punch it packed. Continue reading “Act of Denial – Negative (Review)”