Archangel AD - Casus Belli

Man - I love thrash metal. Casus Belli is a killer new offering from Archangel AD and one which takes me back to misspent high school years stomping through circle pits to bands just like this one. Archangel AD are a blast to hear come together, and this new record is, despite a few missteps, a solid next step in a legacy of violence. Casus Belli is far too much fun to headbang along too - and their classic metal approach speaks to just how talented they are and how much they are continually bringing to the table.

Casus Belli hits a lot of classic points, but it's clear that Archangel are at their finest when unleashing high power hate. The mid tempo tracks like 'Demonolith' really don't do the band any favors and don't showcase the elements that make them so exciting. What I'm here for is vicious stompers and the over the top assault that really established Archangel AD as a Texas metal force in the first place. How can you not fall in love with the long hair thrashing madness of a track like 'Blasphemer.' It's the paeans to old school Metallica that help to really make this band sound exciting. It's what sets Archangel AD apart from the pack - because they have that same raucous energy. 

Archangel AD are an extremely fun thrash band at their best, and that's all I want to hear from them. When the band breaks out the high tempos and hyper power solos, we start to really get a sense for how talented these cats are. Casus Belli is a blast to turn all the way up and headbang your face off too. Yes there are some moments where it kind of falls apart, but as a general rule this is a rager that will keep you going. Press play and dive into the pit, Archangel AD certainly know how to thrash you back to life.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ArchangelA.D

 

Algebra-Feed the Ego

Algebra is a thrash metal band who are clearly steeped in Slayer worship, yet this doesn't hold them back, in fact it only drives them forward, masters of their own reality as they blast out music at hyper speeds. Algebra understand what it means to bring the mosh and the way that they force their bodies into unholy motion in the name of the strange forces of thrash metal is simply incredible. What more could you ask for than for the CD to literally rip you apart? Their new record Feed the Ego is raw and brutal thrash metal, and for those who like it fast, it speaks to the heart.

I think perhaps my favorite part of the riffs on Feed the Ego is the melodic ideas that provide stellar haunting bridges. One great example on this is on the simply frightening Egosystem which showcases some of the tightest pure old school thrash riffing I have heard in a good long while. There is a certain primitive brutality to Algebra's sound, the technical aspects are there, but like Testament, they have no trouble going into a darker place within themselves to find their music. Algebra groove like a Bay Area thrash band, a deceiving sound for Swiss thrash merchants to have. Although hey, can you really complain? Algebra deliver the goods, and at the end of the day, that's all we really need.

Brutal, primitive and glorious, Algebra understand what thrash metal needs to be about. The roaring solos betray a crazed youthful energy, the sort of thing that proves these guys understand the magic of true thrash metal. There is nothing especially new on display here, but Algebra clearly understand what they need to do in order to rip out throats and leave the listener brutalized, a thrash metal casualty. So turn it up and dive into the pit like you know you want to, Algebra are going to beat you into a pulp, so pull out your dukes and let's get down to it!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Algebrathrash

Game Over-Burst Into The Quiet

It's been a while since I've reviewed some good old crossover thrash on this blog, and Game Over are more than happy to delivery the solution. Their balls out thrash attack is the kind of thing that most bands can only dream of having. With an old school delivery touched up with a few modern frills, their new record Burst Into The Quiet is an exciting thrash metal record that will beat you up and then bash your head into the stage. Game Over understand what thrash is all about, and once that blazing circle pit gets going there is no stopping it.

See, even though Game Over certainly keep up a very 'street' vibe there is a certain epic feel to the music that allows them to really stand apart. Perhaps the best example of this is on the track No More which starts off with a rather epic feeling Iron Maiden-esque guitar line before breaking into a straight up crossover thrash riff. The aggressive delivery of the vocals is great, they're not growls, and in this case that actually makes things better, it gives a great old school feel to the songs. The gang vocals are another highlight, on tracks like Metropolis Part 3 they actually give the music a touch of Municipal Waste, which in my opinion, is always a good thing.

So, is this a thrash record that breaks new ground or crushes paradigms of what thrash metal can be? No. But is it a tight release that will get your body moving and head banging? Yes. Nine tracks of pit inspiring madness, this is a very strong sophomore release for these European thrash maniacs. Sure, I don't usually like European thrash, but these guys are an exception, they bring in so many cool ideas that you simply can't be turned off by it. So, jump into the pit and prepare to rage, Burst Into The Quiet is going to thrash its way into your ears, smash in your face and murder your wife.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/GameOverThrashMetal

Exodia-Hellbringer

At various points in my life I've been called a "mosh pit freak", "DRI diehard" and "thrash metal kid". It's funny then, that I actually don't like most thrash metal that has come out in recent years. Yet Exodia seem to bring something different to the table. Asides from sharing a name with a famous Yu-Gi-Oh card (oh the memories!) Exodia really understand what it is to play thrash. Their new record Hellbringer makes me want to start a pit, slam some Jack and kick in someones face, all things that are, in the eyes of thrash metal, good, right, and salutary.

From the first you see that Exodia know how to bring it, mixing party anthems like instant classic, The Art of Drinking, with more serious tracks such as Shout the Nations, you see that Exodia really has it all. Though they like to party, they are actually pretty darn intelligent. Furthermore the delivery of the vocals is wonderfully insane, delivered with a harsh and ferocious hatred that few can imitate. The riffs are pretty standard thrash metal fare, but that doesn't mean they're not great. The spiraling hooks on songs like Infected Hate are extremely tasty and will inspire many a circle pit. The choruses are great too, encouraging group sing a longs and all sorts of stage diving madness.

In closing, this is a thrashers thrash metal record. Flip back the brim of your cap and dive into the pit, Exodia will smoke your weed, smash in your face, and then, if you're lucky, they just might lecture you on world politics. The future of this band is bright, and they really understand what they want to do, and moreover, how to do it. The circle pit is starting, and if you don't join know it might be impossible to jump in later. Hellbringer is incredibly fast and vicious, it shows a band who will give it all to thrash, I hope you brought your mosh boots, because it's about to get crazy.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Metalexodia

Toxic Holocaust-Chemistry of Consciousness

THRASH METALLLLL that's the first thing that comes to mind when you turn on Chemistry of Consciousness a record that grasps the undying magic of thrash metal in its finest and most violent form. A sample of thrash metal madness at its finest Toxic Holocaust have come through once again as the hardest partying, yet still intelligent thrash metal bands today. Influenced by the old school of thrash metal and punk Chemistry of Consciousness explodes out of the gate with an undying heavy metal madness, an album that will never die as it rips out your throat and revels in blood.

One of the best parts about this record is the chaotic approach to thrash metal that these guys so clearly revel in. The dynamic attack found in these songs is delicious, showing off the magic of the genre and busting your skull into the dirt. Chemistry of Consciousness curbstomps the listener with an aggression that is almost intimidating at times. The blazing speed of these songs can only be compared to Exodus or even Slayer, the raw aggression is incredible and few modern thrash bands have this pure hatred in them. A lot of rethrash sounds bored and antiquated, yet Toxic Holocaust is not. This is vicious and violent thrash metal at its finest, and as Tony Foresta would say these guys are here to drink your beer and smash in your face.

In conclusion, Chemistry of Consciousness is a thrash metal record for the ages, an album that fits into the grand scheme of thrash metal majesty, a magic that will never die. These tracks represent all of the glory that the genre can have and its blazing punk like aggression helps to keep things exciting and passionate. The variety of influences in here are powerful and exciting, they showcase the power that modern thrash can have even after the glory days have passed. In fact, on could even say that Chemistry of Consciousness is the record that will usher in a new era of light for thrash metal.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ToxicHolocaust?fref=ts

Abuductum

As some of you may have noticed by now, I really dig rethrash. While the scene may be a bit clogged up now there is simply so much to love with this type of music, from the epic riffs to the power choruses, and it becomes all the better when a group simply does it right. Suffice to say, this Granada based band know how to do rethrash right and simply revel in it. A wholly enjoyable band these guys are quite clearly having fun with their craft and bedazzle it with tons of glowing solos and hard hitting riffs. Toss in some excellent thrash vocals and you have yourself one of the few rethrash bands who really stand out from the crowd, a group who roar into your ears and pummel you into submission. Ferocious and mighty this is a band who I can see going far in the modern thrash scene cluttered as it is. A group who seek to differentiate themselves while simultaneously respecting the boundaries of the genre who knows where Abductum will carry their sound next?

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/AbductumMetal/app_2405167945

Terrifier-Metal or Death

Some of you may remember Terrifier from my review of them back in May. Suffice to say with the bands latest release, the three song Metal or Death EP these guys continue to impress me with their sick chops and crazy riffs. Heirs to the throne of bands like Megadeth Terrifier are simply a blast to listen to and as you can tell from the first shriek on the eponymous debut track these guys know how to tear out of the gate and smash your face in. In other words, Metal or Death is just another testament to Terrifiers throat tearing technical thrash metal sound.

These guys have very much developed since their last release Destroyers of the Faith since then they have become even more technical with even more fabulous solos. Their is also a new desperation here too which gives the music a much more aggressive, Slayer-like feel, this is obviously a good thing. I feel like the vocals have radically improved and help to add a lot of flavor to the band making them more than just 'that thrash band with insane guitar parts'. What I'm really trying to say is that with Metal or Death Terrifier have started to find themselves and really boil down the sound that should one day make them into icons of the neothrash movement.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a stellar young thrash band whose chops will rip your face off then Terrifier is the band for you. With crazy solos and a beautiful dedication to the power of metal I can see these guys going far. My one real complaint about this record is that it is far too short, other than that Terrifier seem to be developing nicely, slowly coming up with a sound that is wholly their own. With another release or two under their belt this band should be ready to take the whole world by storm. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this band!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/TerrifierThrashers

Animator-Blacklisted

The problem with a lot of modern thrash metal (and rethrash in particular) is that the music is too often about topics like partying and girls, we rarely get too hear a thrash metal band who writes about societal problems in an intelligent way. That is the niche Animator apparently seek to fill with Blacklisted a dazzling thrash metal record filled with some simply fantastic lyrics Animator proffer something up a little different to Jeff Hanneman's unholy throne. Something that has the potential to get Animator enough attention to finally hit the big time.

Asides from the lyrics this album pretty well rips from a musical standpoint. There are lots of epic introductions (Especially on the first track, State of Emergency) and blazing solos. My one criticism is that some of the songs are a bit too long and start to lose the listeners interest after the four minute mark. Yet the band seem to be talented enough songwriters that even the longer songs work pretty well. I like a lot of the choruses, the more thrash anthem-type ones give the group a nice old school feel. In particular the song Western Shadow has an especially excellent chorus with its immortal cry of "Freedom is worth our lives". This one cry basically sums up the ideology behind the album and helps to drive Western Shadow to the point of being one of the best on the record.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a hard hitting throat tearing thrash metal record that goes a bit beyond the party thrash that is only far too common in this day and age then Animator's Blacklisted is the record for you. Their lyrics add so much to the music by directly dealing with some of the most pressing social concepts of our age, even as the music obeys the primal directives that define so much of what thrash metal is. So go out, turn Blacklisted up to the max, think about the significance of the lyrics and then start up a massive circle pit!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Animatorireland

Fatality

Fatality is a ripping thrash band from Toronto. Their crazy riffs and wild solos are often reminiscent of bands like Municipal Waste and yet Fatality are still very much their own thing. With element of neo-thrash in a sound that is otherwise more than willing to respect the old masters these guys are a lot of fun to listen too. I love how they have elements from every epoch of thrash's glorious history incorporated into their sound.  Their new single, Monstrous is a tribute to the magic of thrash metal, with a fist pumping chorus and a terrifying riff these guys know what it is to thrash in the 21st century. As they prepare for their gigantic Towards Disastour things seem to be heating up for these Canada natives. Suffice to say, if this new single is any indication then we should all head out to pick up their new album Psychonaut when it drops June 28th. these guys know what thrash metal is at its finest and are not afraid to force their beer fuel mayhem onto the world. If you're looking for something fast and vicious then Fatality is definitely the band for you!

Stream their Monstrous now!


Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/fatalitythrash/app_2405167945

Eternal Judgment

Eternal Judgment is a vicious re-thrash band from Quebec. Their rapid riffs and crazed vocals are oftentimes reminiscent of Municipal Waste and show a band who love to party mosh and stage dive. This is the kind of band who ritually execute posers onstage. The songwriting is very tight, I especially love some of the progression and riffs on Kill to Survive, it really helps to build up the tension and keep things interesting. It actually makes me wonder what Eternal Judgment would be like if they embraced this slightly proggier side to their music with longer songs. I think that it would ultimately help the band become truly unique and really stand out. Yet as is Eternal Judgment is a lot of fun to listen too with some tight songs and headbanging riffs that should appeal to many a metalhead the world over. The future seems bright for these Canadian thrashers and with a little luck this Montérégie quartet will be able to bring their brand of thrash to a global stage!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Judgment/112880535392018?id=112880535392018&sk=app_2405167945

Rusted Brain-High Voltage Thrash

Rusted Brain is an explosive thrash metal band from Warsaw. Their music is of the raw and unholy brand of thrash that made the music of Jeff Hanneman so good. Yet their is also a side of the music that is very reminiscent of early Metallica. Songs like Caught in The Fire only further this connection. The point is, High Voltage Thrash is an extremely solid record and absolutely filled to the brim with riffs that boggle the mind and a latent heaviness that few bands can compete with. An interesting blend of old and new the music of Rusted Brain is timeless and seems capable of garnering many a fan.

Whats truly appealing about this band though is that in their high energy thrash they mix in lots of bombastic elements reminiscent of greats like Iron Maiden or Metal Church. Their is a lot of flavor added here with energetic shrieks which almost remind me of the first few Forbidden records. Overall though the vocals are harsh and unforgiving, reminiscent of Testament or early Metallica. Meanwhile the guitar riffs are very spicy and have a turbo charged sound that blasts the band to whole new levels of heavy. These are given even more fire with nice little fills like the ones featured on the bridge of Executor. In short, the fills on this record are memorable and oftentimes very tasty!

To finish, if you're looking for destructive thrash metal that will pound your face into the dirt and pummel you with riffs so epic that they defy words then Rusted Brain is the band for you. A group who truly understand how to make thrash metal, filled with both incredibly rough riffs and intricate solos Rusted Brain will rip out your throat with their dead ahead sound. This collection of 9 tracks is a delicious testament to the enduring power of the genre. For any thrash fan High Voltage Thrash is a must buy record! It will probably end up being known as one of the greatest thrash records of 2013.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/rustedbrain

Harvester of Sorrow

Harvester of Sorrow is a tasty thrash band from Italy and a fitting continuation to our thrash metal week. Since 2006 they have been releasing raw and undiluted 'brutal thrash metal', they are the rare band who seem capable of fusing elements from both the Neothrash and Rethrash scenes. While the riffs might not sound out of place on a Municipal Waste record there is a certain aggression and diversity to be had here that shows H.O.S to be more than just a rethrash band, their music is wonderfully angry and occasionally features haunting melodies which should truly unsettle the listener. Yet, in addition to the crazed thrashing there is a certain rock and roll energy to be had here that almost reminds me of early Metallica. Their are tastes of bands like Diamond Head and even Van Halen, this helps to make the record a lot more fun than your average neothrash release. To finish, Harvester of Sorrow are filled with potential and with their unique take on the genre they should prepare to bring their music to a whole new level in the year to come!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterOfSorrowThrash/app_2405167945