Hellspawn (Pol) - There Has Never Been a Son of Me

Artist: Hellspawn (Pol)
Release Title: There Has Never Been a Son of Me
Year: 2016
Label: Old Temple
Genre: Old-School Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Do Not Be Among Idolatres
2. Hung on a Tree, Damned by His Father
3. Antitrinitarian
4. For the Number Is Human
5. Hallelujah
6. Heralded by Prophets
7. Upon Entering the Valley They Did Not Fear
8. It Is Not Proper for the Gracious to Have a Son
9. Santa Sindone
10. There Has Never Been a Son of Me

Utterly crushing their old ideals, the Polish death metallers under the name Hellspawn have long sought to offer infernal, blasting hymns that used their full-on, intense assault that has been their trademark since the very beginning of their career. With a four-year gap between releases from the band, their third full-length effort was released March 16, 2016 on Old Temple.

Straight from the beginning, there’s a clear idea of the kind of blistering and charging material on display here that continually gets featured. This one is mostly built around tight, frantic riffing and plenty of swirling tremolo patterns in their display of churning mid-tempo paces throughout here, which gives this one such a frantic and intense attack. Keeping the vast majority of the album in such a mainly up-tempo state lets the tight rhythms and crushing tremolo leads dance around to great effect here as the thick riff-patterns generate the kind of intense energy required. That is successfully balanced out by a thumping mid-tempo style that really brings out the tight rhythms to a greater extent that the quicker, more balanced tracks that are far more prominent on here and bring about the kind of dynamics that really get explored here. Although it gets really enjoyable due to this rather strong attack, the fact that it does tend to get lost in these repetitive riffing patterns and paces does tend to undue some of these positives with the album really becoming quite hard to determine what’s going on with the way it continually evokes the same overall approach on many of the tracks. However frenzied and intense it gets, this one tends to go the same way with its attack and that doesn’t do much for the album. Otherwise, this one doesn’t really have much else wrong with it.

Coming across way too familiar to really let the stellar attack get displayed to it’s fullest potential, the fact that remaining features here are so strong and devastating makes this another strong notch in their belt and gives this a lot of appeal to those who prefer this infernal approach to classic death metal.

Score: 87/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://oldtemple.bandcamp.com/album/hellspawn-there-has-never-been-a-son-of-me

Demonic Slaughter - Haunted

Artist: Demonic Slaughter
Release Title: Haunted
Year: 2014
Label: Pagan Records
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Pit of Coffins
2. Mystic Rites
3. Psalm of Mist
4. Haunted
5. Madness and Astral Emanations
6. Monks of Cold Mountains
7. Żałobna procesja (Mournful Procession)
8. Wyklęty (The Wretched)
9. Death’s Creek

Furthering their connection to the old-school, Polish black metallers Demonic Slaughter have settled into a solid reputation for not only their boundless proficiency but also their dedication to writing and recording material in the traditional old-school manners. With drummer Nuklear Kriss departing in favor of new drummer Opium, the group’s fifth full-length was originally released December 10, 2014 on Pagan Records.

As has been the bands’ penchant from the beginning, this here offers up a non-stop assault of traditional Norwegian-styled black metal without much deviation. This one tends to revolve around simplistic tremolo riffing and straightforward rhythms that charge forward without altering themselves or changing up the stylistic charge here with these being placed alongside harmonic melodies and choppy drumming. This is a mostly continuous assault here that’s unwavering in it’s charge with these elements being brought to bear on the tracks without exception, and these find melodies featured throughout here are really where the majority of the album is taken up by the solid infusion of those melodies running nicely alongside the plodding tempos. When it gets to the more charging sections, this change in tempo and aggression leads to some more engaging efforts alongside the pronounced melodic efforts featured here, though these are still dominated by the melodic mindset for the most part. That is the album’s one weakness here with the rather sluggish, driving rhythms not really generating much energy or fiery rhythms which tends to make for a somewhat bland overall impression here that tends to feature the band going through the same overdrawn, bland rhythms for the most part. It’s not entirely detrimental as the melodies are engaging enough, but this one really could’ve used some extra fire.

Though it’s somewhat hampered by the fact that there are some rather bland and somewhat lifeless melodies brought to bear on the album as a whole, this one still emerges with enough positives from the melodic atmosphere and old-school rhythms to give this one some appeal to the most devout old-school black metal aficionado only.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:

https://paganrecords.bandcamp.com/album/haunted

Deathinition - Online

Artist: Deathinition
Release Title: Online
Year: 2017
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Trvecizna
2. Złota kariera
3. Zmierzch wartości
4. Ludzkie z o.o.
5. Online
6. KłamsTVa dla mas
7. Dezinformacje24
8. Rytm konsumpcji
9. Pozer Song

Formed back in 2008, Polish thrashers Deathinition have taken on a dedicated stance to feature plenty of enjoyable old-school thrash elements with a decidedly more modern take on the genre to create one of the finest thrash attacks in the entire revivalist scene. After a successful EP release and a couple of split releases to their credit, the groups’ full-length debut offering was self-released January 28, 2017.

Much like their past works, the group is clearly indebted to the typical Bay-Area style of work in the genre just with a slightly European influence seeping through. Being filled with tough, steady galloping riff-work that packs that same crunch as an endless variety of revivalist thrash groups, this provides the album with a continuous stream of simple, enjoyable riffing patterns that makes for a nice variety of attack here. That comes from how this one goes through a nice variety of attacks here as this one slips between the tried-and-true mid-paced chugs or thrashing gallops which is quite an overall impressive experience as each one provides plenty to like about this. The chugging slows this down to the point of acting as a solid counterbalance to the far more intense galloping that gives this one a solid amount of intensity and energy which makes for a solid experience here. That, in essence, is somewhat the only flaw to this release in that there’s not a whole lot else to this one, it’s pretty much just one set factor to their approach that it really does seem somewhat of a one-note attack. There’s not a whole lot else to this one beyond either mid-tempo or faster-paced efforts, and while that does seem like a good variety for the most part there’s not much else to this one so it does wear out its welcome somewhat. Otherwise, there’s not a whole lot to lower this one.

Despite somewhat falling due to its rather one-note approach that both changes up the approach as well as offer up an overly-familiar attack for the most part, there’s still quite a lot to really enjoy here with this one that it does have some merit for fans of the revivalist thrash scene in general.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://deathinition.bandcamp.com/album/online

Loathfinder - The Great Old Ones EP

Artist: Loathfinder
Release Title: The Great Old Ones EP
Year: 2017
Label: Godz ov War Productions
Genre: Black/Doom Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Genetic Gloom
2. Feast on My Entrails
3. Scents of Regression
4. The Great Tired Ones

Having formed just recently, Polish black/doom metal newcomers Loathfinder have started up in the guise of finding the most lethal forms of their sound together in one murky, lethargic tone that’s incredibly professional for their first effort. With the band finally able to go for a full-length first offering, the groups’ debut EP was originally self-released April 24, 2017 before a CD reissue four days later on Godz ov War Production.

From the start, this here is obviously a rather strong immersion into this particular brand of elements mixing together from these fields. Lead by sprawling sections with plodding tempo-arrangements that bring deep, swirling riff-work and plenty of long, drawn-out rhythms that offer quite a featured doom influence on the music. This prominence does tend to overwhelm here with the crawling, lurching tracks readily coming upon the more epic soundscapes present in these drawn-out sections that give this a lot of it’s staying power. Added together with those elements is a grand, darkened filth-riddled atmosphere from the vocals that adds a grittiness and darkness which adds an incredibly appealing vibe with the material, adding a nice layer to the churning riffing by making it rather dirty and enhancing the plodding rhythms. Although that does make the tracks run into each other way too much which is to be expected due to the brevity of the release and the fact being this is a debut pressing from the band, neither of these issues really hold this back too much.

Not really featuring too many flaws in terms of the music and featuring plenty that can be overlooked anyway for a variety of factors, this is a strong and polished debut that offers a serious amount of quality material for any fan of blackened doom metal or likes the slower side of extreme metal.

Score: 83/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-great-tired-ones

Uerberos - Tormented by Faith

Artist: Uerberos
Release Title: Tormented by Faith
Year: 2017
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Old-School Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. lntro
2. ...and Finally, I Will Come
3. Destroy the Enemy
4. Tormented by Faith
5. To Be Seen and Heard
6. Black Emissary
7. My Lord, My Father
8. No Redemption
9. Live and Die Like a Human
10. Respect for Death

Formed in late 2015, Polish death metallers Uerberos came together from the disbanding of a previous offering to go in a far different direction with the group offering forth a far more brutal and intense variation on the traditional Polish sound. Now finally able to hit the studio for the first time, the group prepares it’s self-released debut full-length February 10, 2017.

As is to be expected here, this one is pretty much right on with the expected norms found within the Polish death metal scene as a whole. The music here is fast, furious and driven by tight riff-work, chugging along at a frantic pace throughout here, giving this a truly enjoyable and engaging backbone upon which to add on plenty of other elements. The tight rhythms throughout here give this the kind of thrashing energy that’s reflected nicely amongst the choppy, chugging patterns elsewhere here and that leaves this with some solid full-throttle moments here. The biggest factor for this, though, is the bands’ ability to take their tight, frantic riff-work into a stellar grandiose atmosphere, droning along into a rather bombastic sense of epic qualities that are quite effective against the rest of the thrashing music throughout here which carries that thrashing atmosphere incredibly well alongside this bombastic. It’s when the band slips from the ferocity and aggression that it comes undone ever so slightly as the melodic accents are at the detriment of the main rhythms that are so fast and ferocious that there are some troubling times to be had here with the changeover. Still, this is the only flaw to be found here as this is quite the impressive debut.

Generally without a whole lot of flaws to be had here, this is a wholly rewarding experience mixing in the raging Polish death metal scene with hints of technicality and brutality and a few minor flaws does make this one a quality pick for any fan of Polish death metal or quality old-school death metal.

Score: 90/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://uerberos.bandcamp.com/

Lux Perpetua - The Curse of the Iron King

Artist: Lux Perpetua
Release Title: The Curse of the Iron King
Year: 2017
Label: Underground Symphony
Genre: Power Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Celebration
2. Curse of the Iron King
3. The Legend
4. Army of Salvation
5. An Old Bard
6. Eversong
7. Riders of the Dead
8. Rebellion
9. The Werewolf
10. Desert of Destiny
11. Consolation
12. Straight Back to Hell

Originally formed in 2003, Polish power metallers Lux Perpetua began as Sentinel which lasted until 2009 before they dropped the name and were resurrected in their current moniker which took their sound to their current formation and standing. With longtime member Martinez leaving and being replaced by vocalist Artur Rosiński and new keyboardist Meg, the groups’ full-length debut was originally released February 28, 2017 on Underground Symphony.

Firing off straight from the old-school, the group is quite intent on letting their influences get pushed to the forefront that it’s quite apparent from the start. There’s a prominent showing of fiery neoclassical-inspired rhythms and bombastic paces that keep the majority of the tracks at full-throttle for the massive sound generated here. The inclusion of twinkling keyboards and blistering drum-work makes for an even greater sprinkling of power, and this creates the kind of bombastic take on the genre which gives this one the required speed and tone that falls right in line with the bombastic efforts in this style. When this drops off into the softer realms, this drops those elements in favor of a lethargic chug and a more overblown keyboard-drenched style that keeps the fiery speed-metal riffing in the background as the melodic tones become far more prominent which does take some of the sting out of the attack even with these still providing plenty of engaging work in these sections. There’s a slight tendency here to feel somewhat overlong as the second half does get a more enhanced epic vibe in the material here which does strike as a somewhat minor problematic issue, but for the most part, this one really doesn’t detract much from what’s expected here. Far more problematic, though, is the fact that the vocals here are somewhat off-putting in the genre being much too gravelly and gruff for this type of light and fluffy genre so those going in expecting an operatic performance might be somewhat surprised here. However, even combined these aren’t enough to knock this down that much.

Despite the slightly off vocals and a minor bloated second half, there’s far too much good produced here for a first-time effort that this one manages to come out of the gates swinging and lands often enough to be of great significance for those yearning for the early days of the power metal explosion and bright, bombastic power metal.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://luxperpetuaband.bandcamp.com/album/the-curse-of-the-iron-king

Hellias - Eight Cardinal Sins

Artist: Hellias
Release Title: Eight Cardinal Sins
Year: 2017
Label: Thrashing Madness Productions
Genre: Old-School Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Devilish Circle
3. Eight Cardinals Sins
4. Ant Democracy
5. Mental Violence
6. Angels Make War
7. Deliverance
8. Pair of Sparks
9. Twelve Angry Man
10. Baader Meinhof
11. Sin City (AC/DC cover)
12. Judas the King

Ever since their reformation, Polish thrash legends Hellias have continued to bring their rousing brand of Eastern European-styled take on the Bay Area formula of thrash that originally brought them out of the underground back in the late 80s. Still fighting hard after the eight-year gap between releases, the groups’ fifth full-length overall was originally released February 10, 2017 on Thrashing Madness Productions.

Forged through their decades of work, the album here clearly and dominantly showcases their love and enjoyment of the Old-School style of thrash. This means the album is full of tight, slightly technical riffing featuring a generally steady mid-tempo crunch that makes for a much more pronounced charge than expected here, with the fine ability to shift into a heavy-handed groove-style series of rhythms to add that extra boost to the proceedings also thrown in as well. That keeps the album with a nice violent streak in terms of intensity as well, as the swirling patterns add a thoroughly rewarding punch to the classic riff-work featured in here. While on the whole this approach gives it a fine and enjoyable approach, this does create the issue of the album going through the lower-intensity efforts when it’s not firing away on the thrash as the more groove-inspired rhythms here do give this one a slightly more restrained feel which gives this a much greater discrepancy in tone than expected. The fiery and energetic riffing styles are drained somewhat slightly by the lowered intensity found there, and it really lowers this somewhat. Still, that’s not a big issue for it’s not as constant or consistent as the more enjoyable elements are.

With some rather stylish thrashing alongside some minor problematic issues, there’s still more than enough fun at play here for fans of the bands’ previous work or the less-discerning old-school thrash aficionados who will quite like the attack here while those looking for more fervent thrash will likely find it decent at best.

Score: 75/10

Does it sound good? Order it from here:

https://www.discogs.com/Hellias-Eight-Cardinal-Sins/release/9801689

Vader - The Empire

Artist: Vader
Release Title: The Empire
Year: 2016
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Angels of Steel
2. Tempest
3. Prayer to the God of War
4. Iron Reign
5. No Gravity
6. Genocidius
7. The Army-Geddon
8. Feel My Pain
9. Parabellum
10. Send Me Back to Hell

Still leading the genre to the fullest, Polish death/thrash legends Vader has been leading their genre’s charge for the better part of their near forty-year existence by churning out some of the most consistent and explosively enjoyable work around. Never one to take a rest following a slew of releases, compilations and even an EP earlier in the year, the groups’ tenth true full-length of original music was released November 4, 2016 on Nuclear Blast.

From the onset of their career the band has delved between two distinct styles in their music, and for the most part what’s featured here is the less-prominent aspect of their sound. The vast majority of the tracks here are all about the tight, churning thrash style rhythms of their sound, flying through furious non-stop riff-work and utterly pummeling energy that goes for the intensity and anger side of their sound rather than opt for the sprawling mid-tempo gallops. Rather, the music here is tight, short and to-the-point in it’s charging intensity, relying on the groups’ penchant for twisting through varying rhythms for its variety here that gives this a mostly thrash-based assault than most other offerings in their history. As this ends up being the dominant factor for the music here, it leaves a profound display of aggression and energy here by going through these dynamic paces and really drowns out the epic aspects of their sound here. These efforts are placed more on the sidelines of the album in favor of the tight, vicious thrashing on display which is where this one really suffers slightly with the slower, sprawling efforts taken out for these shorter bursts of thrash that it makes the album feel much too brief as the running time is noticeable with the short, blistering intensity featured here being just too obvious with the vast majority of the album being under three minutes so when it goes beyond it’s all the more obvious. Still, that alone is all that’s wrong here which isn’t really all that detrimental at all.

With the only real problem here being quite a laughable flaw that’s really the epitome of grasping at straws, that factor should be expected from a band this consistent and enjoyable as this vicious, furious slab of thrashing-tinged death metal will go down a storm with fans of their past work, death/thrash in general or those curious about the bands’ longevity and need a fine entry point into their catalog.

Score: 95/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://shop.nuclearblast.com/en/products/sound/cd/cd/vader-the-empire.html

Profanatism - Hereticon

Artist: Profanatism
Release Title: Hereticon
Year: 2016
Label: Under the Sign of Garazel Productions
Genre: Old-School Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Darkness in the Eyes of God
3. Icon Hereticon
4. I Cold
5. Dance with a Serpent
6. Nowy świt
7. Ostatni zmierzch
8. Legion in My Soul

Founded in 2012, Polish black metal duo Profanatism quickly honed their skills in the underground scene with several different demos that allowed the band to perfect their craft and managed to bring out a split release as well to help the pair further refine their skills. Finally ready to unleash their first proper release, the groups’ debut full-length was originally released June 6, 2016 on Under the Sign of Garazel Productions.

Like so many of their Polish brethren, the bands’ quite clearly adept and proficient in the raw, driving second-wave style of intense black metal favored in the country. Still largely beset with swirling tremolo riff-work and a darkened series of rhythms throughout here, the fact that there’s a much larger emphasis on the raw, churning patterns that display a quite larger, impactful intensity to the tracks is much more evident here as this features the typical rhythm changes and discordant riffing found in that style. That series of discordant patterns allows this one to change from the blisteringly fast, raw tremolo-laced attacks to swirling, mid-tempo sprawling that offers tinges of industrial riffing and much more straightforward, loose patterns that contain much more simplistic chugging all brought into a cohesive whole usually within the same tracks, and that gives this a seemingly disparate sense of chaos with all the different elements working together to give this one the furious intensity by maneuvering through these differently-paced elements within the music. As good as that is, the fact that it really manages to highlight the small nagging factor within this one as being way too scattershot and disjointed that there’s quite a loose feeling running through the music as a whole, rarely feeling like a true collective of tracks with that distinctive series of disparate elements. These don’t offer the kind of pleasing mesh of styles as the swirling tremolo riff-work generating that typical sea of chaos while the sprawling industrial-tinged passages don’t really create any cohesive bonding together the way it’s intended, which is a fine area to work on as the band gains experience and carries on.

Though there’s a few flaws to be found here with the bands’ inexperience being brought to the forefront with some rather disparate elements being featured here, the fact that the bands’ far more intriguing traditional-style second-wave black metal approach that helps make this a worthwhile time for those that can handle the flaws and enjoy the second-wave style.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://utsogp.otwarte24.pl/2965,PROFANATISM-Hereticon

Warfist - Metal to the Bone

Artist: Warfist
Release Title: Metal to the Bone
Year: 2016
Label: Godz ov War Productions
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Pestilent Plague
2. Written with Blood
3. Convent of Sin
4. Tribe of Lebus
5. Breed of War
6. Metal to the Bone
7. NecroVenom
8. Playing God
9. Reclaim the Crown

For over a decade now, Polish blackened thrash metal power-trio Warfist have steadily gained their experience and their style of explosive underground-flavored thrash and black metal which was fully realized with their previous release. Now, two years after that initial charge, the band offers even more of their fiery charge with a fully-immersive sophomore full-length released October 30, 2016 on Godz ov War Productions.

As was prominent on their previous release, the majority of the album here comes from a series of rocking and explosive high-energy mixtures of black and thrash metal. The vast majority of the album charges along with high-energy riffing and straightforward, charging thrash metal rhythms that keep the material tight, crunchy and utterly rabid in their speed and energy that keeps this centered around the tight charging energies from these patterns. With the ability to wrap these high energy efforts with more tight, plodding tempos featuring some heavy-handed chugging which counter-balance the ravenous, thrashing here the end result is quite nice and makes for some well-rounded times. Given that this material is all meshed together with a dirty, blackened atmosphere with the inclusion of several series of tremolo-based riff-work into the thrashing, this energetic and rousing material is given quite a healthy and impressive boost and further solidifies the bands’ connection to both genre style-points. They also manage to strike up the biggest negative which is the rather overt and seemingly one-note attack which doesn’t alternate any between these ravenous rhythms which are played out throughout the album. By staying so straightforward and unyielding in it’s approach there’s not a whole lot of chances to really get the variety going throughout here and it leaves the album so straightforward that there’s a pretty simplistic attack. This here is really the only thing that really holds this one back.

With some rather straightforward and unyielding attack that doesn’t offer up much of any chance for variety or deviation here, the sheer speed and utterly blistering attack is for the most part far more effective and dynamic that it really overcomes a lot of these issues and makes for quite an appealing effort for black/thrash fans or extreme thrash aficionados.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/warfist-metal-to-the-bone

Kingdom (Pol) - Sepulchral Psalms from the Abyss of Torment

Artist: Kingdom (Pol)
Release Title: Sepulchral Psalms from the Abyss of Torment
Year: 2016
Label: Godz ov War Productions
Genre: Retro Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Sepulchlar Psalms
2. Monolith of Death
3. Forsaken Tribe
4. Kaplica Ducha Zgniłego
5. Abyss of Torment
6. Black Rain upon the Mountain of Doom
7. Whispering the Incantation of Eternal Fire
8. Cromlech (Darkthrone cover)

Keeping their old-school sound intact, Polish death metal veterans Kingdom have gained a loyal following for their die-hard adherence to a blackened old-school attack of churning death metal madness. With a three-year gap between records that sees the band employing new bassist STH and being his first recorded output for the band, their third full-length effort is originally released October 30, 2016 on new label Godz ov War Productions.

From the onset here this is quite obviously a grand old-school styled affair which wraps plenty of strong and impressive elements within. The main focus here is on the band's devoutly old-school style attack, from the swirling tremolo-laced patterns that are intertwined throughout here with the lurching, sprawling riff-work at the core of the band’s sound which manage to add a darkened, swampy attack to the slow, sprawling riff-work. This is highly impressive for the most part as this atmospheric displays reeks of the sprawling, deep churning vibe of the old-school scene which is then played at a variety of tempos that alternate from the ferocious up-tempo thrasher to a chugging mid-tempo outburst and a doom-riddled sprawl that offers plenty of crusty elements to the band’s signature swampy lurch with this series of deviations allowing for a wholly well-rounded outcome that gets melded together in competent, coherent fashion. It’s all tied together in lengthy, sprawling numbers that gel incredibly well together as this allows for the album to ebb and flow together while still remaining constant and charging to generate the required liveliness to make for a compelling effort. The fact that this all comes together so well yet still feels way too short is a great effort as well, but does highlight the one minor flaw here in that this does come off like it needs another track or two just to round itself off into a more complete form, as everything here works so well but does feel brief with only eight tracks, albeit seven originals with the fine cover at the end tying this up nicely so it does feel like another track or so would’ve pushed this over the edge what with the quality on display here.

Though this one does feel a bit too short and rather brief overall, the fact that the competency and utterly impressive displays found throughout here overcome that to quite a large degree that it becomes the main element holding this one back from further greatness as it should readily appeal to all revivalist death metal fans, old-school aficionados or most fans of extreme metal in general.

Score: 92/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/kingdom-sepulchral-psalms-from-the-abyss-of-torment

Reanimator (Ca)/Soul Collector (Pol) - In Union We Thrash split

Artist: Reanimator (Ca)/Soul Collector (Pol)
Release Title: In Union We Thrash split
Year: 2016
Label: Defense Records
Genre: Retro Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Soul Collector - It Is Time (Intro)
2. Soul Collector - The Pledge
3. Soul Collector - Never Enough
4. Soul Collector - 1968
5. Reanimator - Peaceful Eradication
6. Reanimator - Beyond That Burning Mask
7. Reanimator - The Abominautor
8. Reanimator - The Mosh Master
9. Reanimator - Rush for the Mosh
10. Reanimator - Tempted by Deviance

Two of the better revivalist thrash-scene efforts, the Canadian Reanimator and the Polish Soul Collector are among the more impressive and engaging acts in this crowded market that keeps growing by the day. This new split release, released April 16th, 2016 on Defense, gathers ten tracks, four new compositions from Soul Collector and six from Reanimator, with four of their better tracks from their last release alongside two new efforts, brings together a lot to like from both bands.

First up is Soul Collector, and they immediately bring out their best work here with a rabid, snarling attack centered on their vicious riff-work and dynamic rhythms for a truly old-school workout. Based on tight, swirling thrash riffing and plenty of crunchy patterns at dizzying full-throttle tempos augmented with plenty of furious drumming propelling the material along incredibly well, there’s so much sonically to enjoy here that this quickly gets infectious and highly enjoyable as this provides epic arrangements and solid tempo changes like a truer old-school thrash act. This shows off the fact that they’re able to offer a tight plodding epic that builds into a ripping full-throttle thrasher, a more mid-tempo crunch style attack or the straightforward thrasher, and it’s quite enjoyable. They’re not the most unique or original act in the genre, which isn’t a big deal since so many bands are content to really play off the same playbook as it each other, but here the infectious energy and tight performances are more than enough to counter that. It’s really a shame there’s only the three true tracks here with them getting the instrumental intro, but it’s not a major gripe against them and they’re easily the best band here.

Next, Reanimator bursts forth with their more chaotic bent on retro thrashing as this one really lets their ripping Bay-Area riffing take center-stage. Tight, vicious and crunchy with just the right blend of chaos-driven anarchy in the arrangements that provides solid framework here to really showcase their intensity, on the whole this here is rather enjoyable and dynamic while really bringing out a more looser sense of reckless energy in their rhythms that’s quite enjoyable for the most part. The main thing here is the fact that there’s only two original  tracks by the group and then slapped on four of their best tracks from the last release which seems a little lazy here. The other group took the time to compose some original material and while they came up with three plus the original, the epic arrangements provided there don’t quite match up to the work here since their shortest track is still longer than anything on this half of the split, and that really tends to make their side feel like it’s going through the motions more than anything. The music is good, but it’s so familiar because of the repeat performances that it lowers the release slightly.

Though this one does seem to come off a little lower than it really should’ve because of the repeated tracks against the original compositions on display, the fact remains that there’s still so much to really like here that this is a no-doubt inquiry for fans of either band as well as revival thrash fanatics of any kind.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://www.defense.8merch.com/soul_collector_reanimator_in_union_we_thrash-id9115

Ragehammer - The Hammer Doctrine

Artist: Ragehammer
Release Title: The Hammer Doctrine
Year: 2016
Label: Pagan Records
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. First Wave Black Metal
2. Unleash the Dogs
3. Wróg
4. Warlord's Fall
5. Knives
6. I Am the Tyrant
7. Pure Hatred
8. From Homo Sapiens to Homo Raptor
9. Spotkanie z Diabłem (Krzysztof Klenczon i Trzy Korony cover)

The debut full-length from Polish black/thrashers Ragehammer offers a hugely enjoyable take on the style with all the full-on promise from their early days realized in the flesh. The basic riffing style is full-throttle and viciously savage thrash metal at it’s heart, utilizing the intensity and aggression at full chaotic bents and dive-bombing along throughout the album here which generates a relentless energy rattling through frenzied arrangements that takes their thrash roots at the fullest. It’s energy is given a fuller sheen with the dirty black metal rhythms that take on a far greater appeal here due to the seamless meshing with the thrash riffing which leaves this one overall feeling absolutely devastating with the savage thrashing riff-work taking plenty of dirty rhythms that has so much connection together which fully makes this one seem incredibly old-school in approach. Alongside the rather ravenous rhythms brought up here, the band also manages to dip rather nicely into the past with their rather fine ability to carve out a solid mid-tempo style that charges along quite nicely here since this one does tend to ease up on the throttle here. As it does go for more of a charging attitude during those sections, these charging attitudes tend to speak to more of the old-school approach on display with the ravenous, frenzied riffing being offset by the tight chugging for a stylish counterpoint and making for an even more dramatic break against the thrashing, giving this a strong and impressive overall sound. The album only really stumbles in a few small areas, mostly the cover track at the end which feels too simple and different from the rest of their original material but it’s still a walloping, dynamic debut.

The first half here gets this started incredibly well. Opener ‘First Wave Black Metal’ takes a thumping mid-tempo series of riff-work before racing along to furious filthy thrashing riffing and speed-drenched rhythms as the up-tempo series of frantic drumming and ravenous riff-work brings the speed along through the solo section swarming through the final half for a spectacular opening impression. ‘Unleash the Dogs’ features a slow dirge of pounding drumming and a churning series of riffing that fires through blistering thrash riffing with frantic drumming careening throughout the unrelenting riff-work as the ravenous patterns build in speed and intensity throughout the finale for a truly ripping highlight. ‘Wróg’ fires through furious, frantic drumming and stellar thrashing riffing with full-throttle tempos charging along through a series of dive-bomb pattern rhythms offering frenetic razor-wire patterns carrying plenty of speed and intensity reaching a feverish pitch in the final half for another explosive and chaotic highlight. ‘Warlord's Fall’ uses ravenous drumming, tight razor-wire riffing and blistering rhythms to careen through a frantic series of mid-tempo patterns that nicely drop off into a series of stellar swarming sections plodding through the middle before firing through the finale for a highly enjoyable offering. ‘Knives’ takes swirling riffing and steady charging drumming along a thrashing mid-tempo series of spindly rhythms featuring plenty of thumping patterns holding the steady paces along through the sprawling sections in the mid-section as the pounding drumming turns into a series of ravenous rhythms along through the final half for a strong overall effort.

The second half here is just as explosive and intense as the first. ‘I Am the Tyrant’ features swirling mid-tempo rhythms and utterly relentless drumming marching along to a feverish tempo with plenty of dirty thrashing riff-work careening along to the rumbling bass-lines as the savage, driving patterns keeping the energetic tempos along into the finale for another strong highlight. ‘Pure Hatred’ utilizes ravenous swirling riff-work and pounding thrash drumming winding along through a series of intense patterns while the rhythms soon drop off into mid-tempo charging paces with plenty of pounding swirling drumming bringing along the frenzied chaotic thrashing into the final half for a dynamic and impressive effort. ‘From Homo Sapiens to Homo Raptor’ uses utterly ravenous thrashing and plenty of explosive drumming raging along through the up-tempo paces with the swirling patterns rattling along to the razor-wire riff-work careening along through the blistering full-throttle tempos racing through the finale for a truly enjoyable and raging thrasher. Finally, the Krzysztof Klenczon i Trzy Korony cover ’Spotkanie z Diabłem’ uses the punk-lined rhythms and blistering energy quite well with the frantic off-the-rails intensity and speed carried over quite nicely and feels at home with their other work if only the simplistic material didn’t stand at odds with their other thrashier work, but is still a solid and engaging lasting impression.

There’s a lot to like here with the album’s viciousness and intensity running quite heavily here as the heavy thrash influence takes centerstage in creating a fantastic energy that makes this a wholly appealing effort that will undoubtedly appeal to old-school thrash or dirty black metal.

Score: 96/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://paganrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-hammer-doctrine

Thermit - Saints

Artist: Thermit
Release Title: Saints
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Lady Flame
2. Zombie Lover
3. Perfect Plan
4. Smoke & Soot
5. The Story About Bird & Snake
6. Fairyland
7. The Last Meal of the King
8. Louise
9. Mr. Two-Face
10. Saints

The debut full-length from Polish thrashers Thermit continues the great work that had been accomplished prior to the release and fulfills a lot of the promise established there. There’s not much deviation from their past here as once again the rhythms on display are pure adrenaline-releasing patterns straight from the late 80s Bay Area, propelling this along with quite furious and energetic riffing that really keeps these songs blazing along at rather fast tempos. Not only are they quite fast, but there’s a tightness to the leads that gives this a powerful, dynamic crunch that affords the band a great deal of muscle as they go about their frenetic paces, making this one even more dynamic with the inclusion of a strong series of overwhelmingly melodic and fiery lead-work along the way. Not content to simply focus on tight thrash for its duration, the band incorporates a heavy amount of traditional metal along the way as well for a wholly spectacular mix that really sticks out quite well. The heavy metal rhythms found here are quite different from the tight, dense riff-work found in thrash as instead this is featured with simple chugging, sprawling rhythms and a more spacious approach to the melodies so it’s not always about the fury but opting for a touch of that light-and-dark type writing structure usually found in that genre. Not only is this quite effective at generating a wide range of feelings within the music that makes for imminently more replay value but also turns this around from being just a straight-forward collection of tracks with this type of energy making for a complete representation of the band’s style. The main issue at hand here is that at times the traditional metal requires a slower tempo to work with while the thrashier patterns push the faster rhythms into play, and it’s evident there’s some arrangements that struggle to keep the interest going yet not enough to be a truly worthwhile detriment.

The first half features a fine showcase for what’s on display. Opener ‘Lady Flame’ uses spirited energetic riff-work and frantic mid-tempo drumming steadily along through the charging rhythms with plenty of strong thrashing rhythms as the dropoff into a slower sprawling section with melodic leads runs into the fiery solo section and on into the energetic final half for a strong opening effort. ‘Zombie Lover’ takes ripping riff-work and full-throttle rhythms carrying through tight, crunchy thrash and fiery leads along the mid-tempo pace with sterling soloing leading through the frantic, fiery rhythms bringing along plenty of melodic leads along through the dynamic finale for a truly dynamic, spectacular highlight. ‘Perfect Plan’ features tight, crunchy rhythms and pounding straightforward drumming through the driving mid-tempo pace with the twisting thrash riff-work and crunchy patterns keeping the dynamic charge on through the squealing solo section and keeping engaging rhythms along through the final half for another rather enjoyable offering. ‘Smoke & Soot’ uses a screeching intro with rather bland plodding drumming with chugging riff-work holding through a simplistic swirling rhythm with plenty of rather banal riff-work leading along through the slightly-livelier solo section as the funky bass-lines lead into the charging finale for a superb finish to a mostly dull offering beforehand. The instrumental ‘The Story About Bird & Snake’ offers deep, clanging bass-lines reminiscent of a cinematic western that works as an appropriate mid-album breather.

The second half here isn’t as great but still has a lot to like overall here. The epic ‘Fairyland’ offers light chugging and droning bass-lines giving a light, epic western feel with the simplistic chugging holding the energetic rhythms at bay while the droning, sprawling rhythms weaving along through the epic mid-section kicking into a livelier mid-tempo chugging through the solo section and carrying along through the finale for a truly overlong yet still somewhat enjoyable effort. ‘The Last Meal of the King’ features explosive and engaging riff-work with plenty of dynamic drumming and screeching melodic leads flowing along through the driving rhythm with fiery choppy chugging riffing carrying the stellar rhythms along into the fiery, frantic final half for a truly enjoyable highlight.  ‘Louise’ uses a simple mid-tempo chugging with plodding start/stop riffing that drops out for the fiery melodic leads heading into the thumping mid-tempo series of swarming fiery leads along through the solo section and holding into the charging, frantic finale for a decent start that gets wholly more enjoyable as it goes along. ‘Mr. Two-Face’ features immediate driving riff-work driving along through the steady swarm of energetic riffing full of stuttering rhythms and dynamic drumming that brings along the stellar and engaging series of energetic leads in the solo section as the sprawling melodic rhythms continue into the final half for a solid overall effort. Finally, the title track features swirling twisting rhythms and frantic drumming running alongside the fiery melodic leads as the charging pace carry on through the sprawling mid-tempo patterns as the charging rhythms and pounding drumming come back into the crunchy mid-tempo solo section and working along through the finale for another solid and impressive lasting note.

This the proper way for a debut to work as it manages to carry on through the promise generated from a bands’ earlier works and remains a wholly listenable and enjoyable piece despite that work, leaving this a perfectly enjoyable recommendation for fans of the bands’ work or just those looking for solid, enjoyable thrash overall.

Score: 90/100

Does it sound good? Order from here:
http://www.thermitmetal.com/

Stillborn (Pol) - Testimonio de Bautismo

Artist: Stillborn (Pol)
Release Title: Testimonio de Bautismo
Year: 2016
Label: Godz ov War Productions
Genre: Death/Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Martwo urodzony - rozdział trzeci
2. Ancykryst
3. Upiór
4. Człowiekowstręt
5. Odezwa
6. Obłęd
7. Modlitwa poganina
8. Burst Command til War (Sodom cover)
9. Apocalyptic Hymn of Satanic Warriors

The fifth full-length from Polish death/black metallers Stillborn is a truly enjoyable and full-throttle effort that really offers a lot of enjoyable elements present from their career. Blasting away with dynamic black metal-styled tremolo pattern riff-work that adds a darkened, hell-fire-and-brimstone atmosphere to the proceedings, the fact that these rhythms all offer the kind of full-throttle tempos throughout here really makes these quite enjoyable with their full-throttle and openly dynamic paces that makes for quite a fun time amidst all the blackened riffing. Still, the death metal segments here are even better with the kind of blasting, brutal form of riffing that makes for a truly killer framework here that keeps things rolling along with the kind of twisting, varied rhythm styles here as this offers up several impressive stylings. Ranging from the intense, buzzing rhythms full of frantic speed-driven stylings to a more relaxed mid-tempo thrash-style pace and a sprawling, chugging variant as well, which is all tied together with their tremolo-styled riff-work, this one has plenty of truly enjoyable elements that come from a wide variety of influences which makes them all the better overall. With each of the songs quite enjoyable and not really featuring too many negatives overall, this is a truly scorching effort with a lot to like about it.

The first half here really sets this up as a fun, seething blast of metal. Album-opener ‘Martwo urodzony - rozdział trzeci’ features ravenous blasting among swirling tremolo pattern riff-work with tight, frantic rhythms bringing the entire speed-driven rhythms along with plenty of rapid-fire dexterous riffing and the tight, pounding drumming thumping along to the raging final half for an outstanding opening blast. The incendiary ‘Ancykryst’ utilizes the bleed-through riff-work raging through blasting thrash-fueled rhythms and scorching brimstone-scented tremolo patterns with frenzied drumming and utterly frantic blasting taking the raging rhythms along through the frenzied riffing with the chaotic energy of the finale for the album’s highlight offering. ‘Upiór’takes a steady stream of swirling mid-tempo riff-tempo that quickly turns into raging, thumping rhythms with a steady, plodding rhythms fueled with intense double-bass blasting which leads into the frantic, pummeling drum-work and raging tremolo riffing of the final half for an enjoyable enough track. ‘Człowiekowstręt’ blasts through with frenetic tremolo riff-work and stellar blasting drumming charging through the frantic up-tempo paces with unrelenting drum-work bringing the mid-section through plodding rhythms and chugging riffs that returns to the swirling tremolo patterns in the finale for a varied and enjoyable effort. ‘Odezwa’ starts with swirling razor-wire riffing plenty of furious pounding drumming along with the frenetic riffing taking on a series of diving, technical rhythms with the tremolo-picked patterns alongside full-throttle blasting drumming into the final half for a short, sweet enjoyable blaster.

The second half here is just as much fun with a lot to like about it. ‘Obłęd’ takes on frantic, tight riffing with intense buzzing tremolo patterns and furious blasting drumming through varied, dynamic rhythms with dizzying speed-driven paces swirling around throughout the choppy mid-tempo section that carries the speed on through the swirling finale for a rather frantic and enjoyable highlight. ‘Modlitwa poganina’ uses pounding, dynamic drumming and dizzying tremolo-picked riff-work with plenty of varied rhythms taking on the plodding mid-tempo rhythms alongside the sprawling riff-work throughout the mid-section as the charging drumming brings the intensity throughout the final half for a fine and enjoyable effort. Their cover of Sodom’s ‘Burst Command til War’ manages to effectively carry the speed-driven rhythms nicely while allowing the intensity of the original to carry through as it blasts away as an enjoyable and faithful cover version. Lastly, instrumental album-closer ‘Apocalyptic Hymn of Satanic Warriors’ brings out a studio-jam session with simplistic rhythms, loosely-connected patterns and a much more chaotic and over-the-rails feeling than their other material which is still fun enough to end this on a high note with all the other positive work here.

For the most part this is yet another strong, immaculate collection of snarling blackened death metal from one of the best groups in a scene utterly loaded with talent and offers forth another sure-to-be-classic recording for the Polish death/black metal scene which makes this an easy choice for aficionados of the scene or simply high-quality death metal in general.

Score: 95/100

Does it sound good? Order from here:
http://godzovwar.com/shop/en/main/498-stillborn-testimonio-de-bautismo.html