Thrash metal – Page 53 – Wonderbox Metal

Terrordome – We’ll Show You Bosch, Mitch! (Review)

Coming from Poland, Terrordome play Crossover Thrash Metal heavy on the extremity and it’s really only one step removed from Old-School Grindcore really. Thrashgrind?

This is brutal stuff and although it has a heavy Thrash influence there is equal amounts of Punk/Hardcore/Crossover in the mix.

The album is surprisingly good; I say that simply because sometimes bands of this ilk can grate a little bit for me, but I like this. It’s raw, honest and musically lacks gimmicks.

They have an underground sound that’s effective and has an especially good drum presence; you can feel every single kick drum.

The vocals are punky and enjoyable, reminiscent of a Hardcore band.

This was an unexpected find and more enjoyable than I was expecting it to be. Result.

Alehammer – Barmageddon (Review)

Alehammer are from the US and play Crusty Thrash Metal with an alcoholic theme.

The sound they have is one giant fuzzed-up monster of a sound. The heavily distorted guitars almost overwhelm everything else with their filthy, ultra-scuzzy noise.

The singer sounds rabid and the Crusty vocals are bellowed out at the top of his voice; they’re burly, unfriendly and make a hell of a mess.

The sound quality appears to vary depending on how inebriated the band were when they recorded it, with some songs like Fermented Death having a weaker sound but others such as ABV 666 sounding much stronger. Strange.

The songs are simple, belligerent and enjoyable. They have a drunken swagger entirely their own, and a crowbar to smash down anyone who gets between them and the bar.

This is Metal at its most primitive and most primal. Have some beers and let the fists start flying.

Dizastor – After You Die We Mosh (Review)

Dizastor come from the US and play Thrash Metal.

This is Thrash with Grind-length songs. Jagged riffs and anti-social behaviour abound on this release.

The songs are short and to the point. The band Thrash like a maniac and then end before they can lose interest in whatever subject matter they’re currently vociferating about.

The vocals are snarled, primitive and sometimes backed up with gang shouts for added emphasis.

With a band like this you should know exactly what you’re getting into and you either like it or you don’t.

If you’re in the mood for short Thrash Metal heavy on the attitude then Dizastor are as good as any. See what you think.

Shadow Host – Apocalyptic Symphony (Review)

This is the latest album from Russian veteran Thrash Metallers Shadow Host.

The album has a good, chunky sound and everything is clear, crisp, crunchy and very Metal.

This is mainly melodic Thrash with a riff-heavy sensibility, although there is the odd splash of Power Metal in the mix as well. They also have a nice selection of solos scattered across the 10 tracks, which is always a bonus.

Shadow Host concentrate their songwriting powers on hooks and catchiness, meaning that we get songs that stick in the brain and make you want to pound your fist and shout along.

A perfectly enjoyable romp through the Thrash Metal glory days via a modern crunchy sound and production. Shadow Host have written an album they can be proud of. Give them a listen.

Rotengeist – Start to Exterminate (Review)

Rotengeist are from Poland and play Thrash Metal.

The band have a good, strong sound that they use to launch their Thrash attack from. I also quite like the album cover.

This is heavy, aggressive Thrash with almost a Progressive edge to some of the songs. This additional penchant for melodic and interesting instrumentation scattered across the album pushes the band above the average, and is definitely something I would be keen to see the band develop and build on for future releases.

The vocalist’s voice is pitched somewhere between singing and shouting, almost like the singer of Testament on occasion.

The instruments are well played and the riffs and licks are endless. You can hear the bass and it makes an above-average contribution to the songs rather than just following the guitar at all times. They have some good solos on offer as well.

A strong album that is a bit of a grower, as all good albums are.

Junkyard Lipstick – The Butcher’s Delight (Review)

Junkyard Lipstick are from South Africa and play Thrash Metal.

The band have some quality Old-School Thrash riffs in their repertoire and know how to use them.

The vocals are similarly Old-School, with good melodies and lots of character. Her voice reminds me of a female version of the Agent Steel and Pagan’s Mind singers somehow mixed together. Add to this the odd raspier L7 moment and you have a voice laden with personality. Vocal experimentation rears its head on occasion though, especially on House of the Holy and when it does it’s just wonderful; she can do more than just rasp for sure.

The songs are short and the band wear their their Metallica/Anthrax influences on their denim sleeves.

The combination of youthfully exuberant vocals and passionate Thrash hero-worship means this short EP is very infectious. As I listen to it I can’t help but feel my heart filling with Metal and the urge to mosh along rising.

Check them out and give them your support.

Favourite Track: House of the Holy.

Cultfinder – Hell’s Teeth (Review)

This is UK band Cultfinder and they play Black Metal with a hefty Thrash influence.

A relatively short release of 24 minutes; after a perfunctory intro, (and one interlude), we get 5 tracks of blazing, bestial Blackened Thrash full of Satanic energy coursing through its corrupted veins.

The songs are primitive and atavistic, harking back to simpler times of a purified Metal lineage without outside influences or detractions. The band are fully aware of the path they tread and do so with pride.

The vocals bark their way from the gutter and scrape like nails down a blackboard. Even so, they manage to effectively deliver a wealth of hooks.

The wills of the various musicians are nefariously bent towards the creation and propagation of primeval Metal, and they do this admirably and to full effect. The songs and the riffs stick in the brain even after the final song The Scourging Angel ends in a squeal of feedback.

Apart from a previously released demo this is the band’s first release, and thus is laid a foundation for the future. A terrifying future where Cultfinder’s Blackened vision has come to pass. Get in on the action early and have a listen to Hell’s Teeth.

InfiNight – The Vision (Review)

Here we have a gem of a Power Metal release from Germany – InfiNight have released a Rockingly good EP of solid Metal.

Containing 5 tracks and 3 actual songs, (2 interludes), their brand of Power Metal is based not on histrionic vocals or flashy music, but rather it’s all about creating a good song and a catchy hook.

Hideaway is the first song and it’s a corker! A quality Metal song; it’s melodic and catchy with infections riffs. The singer has a voice that’s on top form and he knows when to hold back and when to let loose.

A Loss of Love has more of a restrained opening than the first song, but not to its detriment. Once again it’s incredibly catchy and very well written. The vocals really lift an already good song into almost chart-topping territory.

Final track The Vision sees the band up the tempo and take on almost a Thrash aspect.

Based on this EP InfiNight should be bigger than they are. Much bigger. This EP is an absolute cracker and is 13 minutes well spent for any Metal fan.

Verdict – The Meaning of Isolation (Review)

Verdict are a veteran German band who play Thrash Metal with some added Death Metal. The Meaning of Isolation is their fourth full-length release.

They have a crisp, professional sound that allows the Thrashy riffs to glitter and shine. The nine tracks are steeped in Germanic Thrash and are savage and immediate. Imagine Kreator given a Death Metal makeover then add in a few elements of New-School Thrash and you’ll have an idea of Verdict’s mode of attack.

Snarling vocals take the centre-stage and sound as if a caged, rabid dog has been given the microphone. These are backed up on occasion with deeper growls that reinforce the hostile nature of the band.

The drummer keeps up a good pace, but the band also know when to lock into a good groove. Killing Fantasies is a good example of this; the band has a good groovy bounce for the first minute or so before going into full-on Thrash mode for the next section.

This is a well-written Metal album that manages to capture the essence of what Thrash is about while bringing it up to date with some more modern, aggressive influences; all the time retaining authenticity and never coming across as commercial or sanitised.

A recommended listen.

Gravehill – Death Curse (Review)

This is US band Gravehill’s third full length album, and they play Old-School Death Metal with a nice bit of Thrash and Black Metal added into the mix as well.

After the usual perfunctory intro we get blasted into the action with the album title track.

The band play their Death Metal morbid, primitive and ancient. The vocalist sounds like a long-dead corpse who has risen up to assault the living with tales of what they have to look forward to when they die. Both high screams and deeper growls are used, with the higher vocals sounding particularly deranged.

Gravehill combine fast and slow riffs with their twin-pronged vocal assault to create unexpectedly catchy songs, a consequence of their Thrash influence creeping into the mouldy Death Metal. The guitars are solid and heavy with momentum and aggression but also a good bit of crusty Thrash melody, while the solos are whipped out at hyper-speed and get the job done.

A thoroughly enjoyable album full of catchy hooks and memorable riffs. Let Gravehill’s festering carcass enter your life and take a good long whiff.