Copyright (c) 2007 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z F.A.L. (ARGENTINA)
Quite good retro thrash of the more melodic variety, in mid to up-tempo picking up more intensity and speed (the instrumental "Represalia") at times. "Bajo El Amparo De La Cruz" is a cool speed/thrash headbanger, recalling the works of their compatriots Lethal.
Bajo El Amparo De La Cruz Demo, 2007 My Space F.C.D.N. TORMENTOR (USA)
Based on the "Demonic" demo, this is really brutal stuff for the time of release: violent thrash/proto-death with short, 1.5-2min tracks. This is very fast and aggressive music, not bad if you're a fan of bands like Napalm Death, Repulsion and the likes, because you will definitely feel the grind-core atmosphere here, although on a musical level this one is way higher.
Demonic Demo, 1986 F.K.Ü. (SWEDEN)
Along with Cranium, this band incorporate the classic, 80's speed/thrash period better than most of their contemporary colleagues. The debut features shorter, more aggressive, but very effective tracks, whereas the second album shows a slightly more technical approach. Both efforts are highly recommended-classic speed/thrash metal can not simply get any better than this.
Metal Moshing Mad Full-length, 1999 Official Site F.T.G. (MALAYSIA)
"After The Promise" is dark, brooding thrash bordering on death metal, not too far from Protector; quite well done with long, thought-out tracks. The debut EP is supported by a very heavy bass-bottom which takes the upper hand, and makes the guitar sound thin; the pace is faster and more intense, and the nods to death metal are fewer ("Fight for Freedom" is the only more brutal, death-laced track). The songs are also long, and the music is dark and brooding, but the worse sound quality makes it a less satisfying listen. A stylish touch is the Oriental guitars on "Kill the Evil". "Behind This Wall" is a heavy semi-ballad with a Metallica-flair (think "One", "Sanitarium"), where even the singer makes an attempt to sing clearly, as opposed to his gruff, death-metal-ish main tone.
Freedom That's Gone EP, 1991 F.U.C.T. (USA)
Heavy thrash/crossover with death metal vocals, which becomes faster at times, accompanied by some very cool solos. The music is not too far from D.R.I.'s later efforts, but there are some longer songs, which excel in heaviness, recalling even the Exhorder debut.
Dimensional Depth Perception Full-Length, 1990 FA-Q (USA)
This album is a one-time collaboration between Gary Meskil, the Pro-Pain singer, and three guys from Overkill, who at that time were taking part in half of the bands around, including their main one. The music is decidedly modern, but not as good as it could be expected having in mind the musicians involved; this is typical modern thrash coming as a cross between 90's Overkill's lesser period, and Machine Head's more laid back style (after "The More Things Change..."). The music lacks an edge, and sometimes goes straight into crossover territory ("Skankly"), or straight into cliched, blatant hard rock ("Are You Satisfied?" (if you are, we're not at all!), "Hey You"). It was good that the guys laid this formation to rest after this only effort.
Each Hit Full-length, 1996 FACE DOWN (SWEDEN)
Based on "The Will To Power", this band is a typical representative of the Swedish wave; modern thrash/death metal ala The Haunted, Construcdead (members of both bands take part in this band), Corporation 187, etc.
Mindfield Full-length, 1995 Official Site FACE DOWN HERO (GERMANY)
This is a side project of two members of the technical thrash metal gods Mind Ashes. The style here is different, being modern groovy thrash with some technical tendencies, calling to mind Nevermore or Scariot on the best moments; not bad, but too far from the high standards set by the father band.
Opinion Converter Full-length, 2007 Official Site FACE OF AGONY (SLOVAKIA)
Based on "Imitations Of Life", this band play cool thrash metal mixing both modern and classic riffs. This is heavy, crushing music reminding of the Germans Warpath, maybe with a slightly more modern edge. At times the guys exceed in heaviness, bringing their music close to doom metal ("Dreaming", "Story (The Love Song)"); on the opposite side we have "Influence"- a nice fast, 1.5-min headbanger; worth checking out.
Welcome To Our Souls Full-length, 1998 Official Site FACE OF EVIL (SWEDEN)
A very good mix of classic black/thrash is what is on offer here; the music is quite energetic and fast, with touches of death metal; there are some stylish, interesting riffs which create a somewhat sinister atmosphere. These guys will remind you of some more recent bands, like Ravage (Germany), Fastkill (Japan), Sauron (USA), and even Necrodeath.
Face Of Evil Full-length, 2004 FACELIFT (DENMARK)
This is a side project of the members of the death metal outfit Konkhra, assisted by the omnipresent Sharlee D'Angelo (Mercyful Fate, IllWill, Dismember, Arch Enemy, Witchery). Here they try their hands on some cool energetic modern thrash, with heavy, meaty, but also quite dynamic riffs, and an overall approach not miles away from Machine Head's "Burn My Eyes". Ironically, to these ears the best track seems to be "Solitude & Despair", which is a very good doom metal ala Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass, where the vocals (which are quite gruff death metal-ish) take a nice melodic turn. "Guilt Be Thy Name" is not much faster, but is much more experimental, where the guys get carried away, adding some abstract, spacey leads and even funk-ish moments, to the 10-ton hammer riffage.
State Of The Art EP, 1997 Official Site FACIAL CLIMAX (AUSTRIA)
Based on "A Face Of Gray Pulchritude", this band play typical modern thrash, trying to find the perfect balance between the energetic, blizkrieg style of Corporation 187 and Hatesphere and the angry approach of Pantera. They find it, on most of the tracks, and the preferences go towards the faster, and more appealing side of the genre, where cool headbangers like "Path Of Anxiety" (this one will surprise you in the beginning, with some smashing blast-beats) and "Time To Judge" belong. There are some occasional touches of gothic ("Deep Silent Water", "Lurch In My Cradle"), and even doom ("Ghosts Gliding", which boasts some great technical riffs in the middle). The closing "Full Of Insanity" is a good attempt at progressive metal ala Opeth, which provides quite a lot, including those wailing clean vocals, which at some point turn into agonizing sinister snarls, and more.
Melancholeric SchizoPhobia Full-length, 2004 Official Site FACINORA (BRAZIL)
A very good 4-song demo of intense retro thrash; the guys thrash theirs souls out (check out the opening "Empty Illusions" and "The Evil"!), but some tracks ofer the obligatory slower breaks: "War Between Selfish", and there is one mid-tempo stomper: "Despair".
Born in Fear Demo, 2008 My Space FAFF-BEY (FINLAND)
Although almost completely unknown, Faff-Bey are one of the better thrash metal bands from Finland. "Birthday" offers very cool retro thrash in a nice headbanging tempo, but never very fast, with some modern insertions thrown in: "The Alligator", "Dead by Dawn". "A Joker" is a more light-hearted crossover number, and "Birthday" breaks the slight monotony with some great intense riffs near the end. "New Religion" starts quite well with the imposing intro "Man with a Harmonica", taken from the Sergio Leone's monumental western "Once Upon a Time in America", but what follows is a lot inferior, being some melodic, insipid mix of half-thrash, groove, crossover, funk, grunge and ballads- simply awful; a very degrading way to end a career.
S/M Party EP, 1988 Official Site FAHRENHEIT 212 (GERMANY)
Based on the debut, these Germans pull out prototypical, playful power/thrash of the modern 90's variety. The music is mid-paced, with slightly one-dimensional tracks, within the 3-4min range, but surprisingly towards the middle the compositions become longer, although nothing really interesting happens, especially on the very boring, uneventful 9-min ballad "Der Name Der Rose". "Die Hymne Der Zeit" contains some interesting heavy riffage, but that's all about it; the rest is not even average.
Der Hexer Full-length, 1995 Official Site FAITH OR FEAR (USA)
Very cool thrash metal from the heydays of the genre. Heavy, crunchy, semi-technical, mostly mid-paced riffs, plus some fast headbangers to spice things up. The style is quite close to early Testament ("Practice What You Preach", in particular), with some very tasteful guitar work, which comes a bit complex at times, but quickly alternates with a more direct headbanging moment. In the second half the album partially loses steam, coming up with some more melodic power/thrashers ("Shadow Knows","Ripoffs"), but the next number: "Time Bomb", compensates with great leads and smashing technical riffage- the highlight here.
Punishment Area Full-length, 1989 Official Site FAITHFUL DARKNESS (SWEDEN)
Expect a more melodic, gothic-ornated version of the modern thrash/death metal mixture, originating from the same country. The gruff vocals are fine, but the clean inclusions are simply bad, and this is when the band start sounding like Lacuna Coil, with more balls, of course. It's a pity that brisk thrashers like "Fast I Fall" (can't you fall a bit slower...) and the lively "Alive" (watch out for the nice keyboard decorations here), and especially the explosive death/thrash delight at the end "Fields Of Yesterday", are not that many to oppose to the less impressive, albeit atmospheric Septic Flesh-like gothic/death/thrash blends.
In Shadows Lies Utopia Full-length, 2008 Official Site FALL (USA)
Based on "Fierce Cries of The Manic", these guys play quite cool death/thrash of the old school, with a nice technical edge. The music switches from more intense to more laid-back passages, keeping the technical chaotic play for most of the time. The songs are generally short, and the frantic complex riffage makes them quite an intense and interesting liten. The pace is not very fast, but there are the exceptions, like "Cleansing", which is a nice mix between furious blast-beats with a black metal shade, and technical guitars ala Morbid Angel. The music is related to the Americans, but a closer soudalike would be mid-period Carcass, including the vocal duels, so typical for the early works of the Brits. "Embodied" is a fine exercise on twisted technicality, hard to swallow, but intriguing all the way, despite tha lack of any more up-tempo moments. These up-tempo moments come aplenty on the following "Revenge is a Color", which is much faster and more aggressive- full-fledged death metal. "Recreational Homicide" is a very odd, orchestral ambient instrumental composition, lasting for more nearly 6-min. After that the band turn to pure death metal, reducing the technical performance for the sake of brutal bashing, which doesn't leave a very positive impression compared to the 1st half, although the final "Reawakened" tries to make up with a handful of stylish riffs.
Vigorous Repercussions From The Appalled Full-length, 1996 FALLACY (PORTUGAL)
Dark, brooding thrash with an almost gothic atmosphere. The songs are longer, but one-dimensional and flow in the same vein with some occasional up-tempo moments here and there; still the overall impression is definitely on the positive side. The song "Halloween" is a nice take on the tune from the cult horror film, here turned into a good thrasher. The overall style actually bears resemblance to the Germans Darkness. Too bad these guys were never heard of again.
Martirios EP, 2000 My Space FALLEN ANGEL (SWEDEN)
Apparently apart from Hexenhaus, there were other quality thrash bands from Sweden around the same time. Fallen Angel's style is more standard, but it has its hooks and twists. The music has something in common with the Bay Area scene (Metallica, Testament), but it also resembles the Swiss Apocalypse (and especially their sophomore release), and early Megadeth. The singer has a cool, semi-clean voice, which doesn't change the tone too much, but fits the music very well. The album begins with a couple of heavy, intense thrashers, with no much speed present, but quite good. It's the 3rd song: "Spectacle Of Fear", which starts thrashing fast and hard, but this is apparently not the band's preferred dimension, as "Faith Fails" returns to the slower formula, even introducing some baladic passages in the beginning. All of a sudden comes "Injection-Overdose": a ball of fury, with steel crushing riffs: a sure-handed thrashterpiece. The following "At Night" is the only failure here- a melodic power/thrash metal piece. Afterwards the band mix faster with slower tracks, closing with the excellent Testament-like "Visions Of Terror". If Hexenhaus are the gods of Swedish thrash metal, Fallen Angel are not too far behind.
Trapped In Syberia EP, 1990 FALLEN ANGELS (USA)
Quite good 80's speed/thrash, with gruff sinister vocals, being just on the edge to tumble into death metal. The music is not straight thrash, though, and has its death metal elements, boasting both more Bay-Area-based numbers ("Rise from Ashes") and some more intense nods to acts like Demolition Hammer and Massacra ("Cerebral Infection"). "Looking Over The Walls Of Despair" is a sylish and slower attempt at more technical play, with some faster "ornaments", a track which strangely reminds me of the Dutch Asphyx. "Slaves In Words" follows, ab ndoning the technicality, but remaining in the mid-paced sector for most of the time. The thrash moshing returns with "The Essence Of Violence", and the intensity reaches new heights on the proto-death shredder "Cries Of The Dying". "Silent City" could grace any of the mid-period Death albums, and is a solid speedy smasher, providing some cool lead guitar performance as well. The closer "Massacred By Madness" thrashes with full force for about 6.30-min, exiting quite well with a Death-like technical twist, much slower, but truly satisfying.
Rise From Ashes Full-length, 2008 My Space FALLEN FUCKIN' ANGELS (ITALY)
Light-hearted speed metal with slight touches of thrash similar to 80's Exciter with a certain Motorhead flavour added,too. Although some thrash metal fans might find it too soft fot their taste, this is not a bad stuff.
Metal Against MTV EP, 2003 My Space FALLING TO PIECES (USA)
Typical modern thrash/death metal, which apart from the few obligatory groovy sections, sets the scene for some intense headbanging as well ("Shades of Grey"), sometimes even going over the top ("Bleeding the Surface"), with some more aggressive and faster riffage.
The EP to Kill By EP, 2004 My Space FALLOUT (CHILE)
This is the Chilean answer to Metallica. The style is a direct impersonation of Metallica's more technical, heavier period ("Master Of Puppets","...And Justice For All"). Everything sounds close to the mighty Americans- from the guitar work to the heavy bass section, to the long technical numbers.
Demo 2 Demo, 1989 FALSE HOPE (USA)
Thrash/crossover which at times sounds quite thrashy and aggressive ("Not Your Day"), at times heavy and doomy ("Carrions Keep"), and at times more melodic and punk-ish ("Agony or Defeat").
Cease to Exist Demo, 1987 Fan Site FALSE LIBERTY (USA)
Furious thrash/crossover which surprisingly sounds close to S.O.D.'s "Speak English or Die". Perhaps this band's sense of humour is not as clearly expressed, and their infatuation with speed is bigger, but the approach is pretty similar with the tracks seldom exceeding the 2-min range. The difference is in the vocal department mostly; here we have hoarse, hardcore-ish vocals which fit the music quite well.
Silence Is Consent Full-Length, 1986 FALSE MODULATION (USA)
Based on the "If I Shall Die" demo, this is aggressive thrash reminiscent of Devastation's "Signs of Life", or the Sacred Reich debut. Sometimes the music acquires some proto-death character ("Self-Destructive Humanity"). Some of the songs are long (5-6min), but there is nothing too interesting, or technical there, except for a few attempts on bass.
If I Shall Die Demo, 1989 FALSE PROPHET (USA)
First demo: good aggressive thrash, badly produced; second demo: great aggressive thrash with a better production preceding Demolition Hammer's similar sound. The second one hits you like a steam roller rolling down a slope- really brutal! Quite often actually the sound jumps into the death metal camp, drawing comparisons with Obituary's "Slowly We Rot"; a truly memorable piece of metal.
Sign of the Cross Demo, 1989 FANATICAL VIEWS (CANADA)
Thrash/crossover of the more melodic type, along the lines of Lawnmower Deth; this is quite enjoyable, actually, with memorable melodies and hooks.
Ecologic Disaster Single, 1989 Fan Site FANTASMAGORIA (SWEDEN)
I am sure quite a few of you would be surprised to find out that this is a side-project of the Morgana Lefay guys, who here play nothing more than the fashionable groovy thrash of the time. The high level of musicianship of the other band is nowhere to be heard, and this music is simply boring and unoriginal (except for some excellent melodic leads ("From Dawn 'Til Death", which sound surreal on the unimpressive background), sounding like a washed-down copy of mid-period Machine Head.
Fuck You All Full-length, 1998 FANTOM (HUNGARY)
Based on the demo, this band could rank right beside Tormentor as one of the first extreme bands from the Hungarian metal scene. Their style is an evil, sinister mix between early Bathory and Hellhammer, with some more brutal parts recalling their Brazilian counterparts Sarcofago, Sextrash, Vulcano.
Lucifer jelenj meg ! Demo, 1987 FANTOM WARRIOR (USA)
Good thrash with some intense hard core-ish elements; the majority of the songs are of the aggressive variety, but there are a few places where the band slow down which are more melodic, going towards classic heavy metal.
Fantasy or Reality Full-length, 1987 Vibrations of Doom FARSCAPE (BRAZIL)
A retro thrash metal band who, like Bywar, Executer and Violator, look for inspiration at the German thrash heritage. The style is not distant from the other three mentioned bands- thrash metal along the lines of Sodom, Kreator and Destruction, done with style.
Demon's Massacre Full-length, 2003 Official Site FASTKILL (JAPAN)
This is fast aggressive thrash metal at its classic best; imagine Destruction, Necrodeath, and the Swedes Hypnosia, but played faster. This is beautifully crazy, ridiculously fast, but never crossing the border towards death metal. Ritual Carnage have to be cautious with bands like these around.
Infernal Thrashing Holocaust Full-length, 2004 Official Site FATAL (USA, Florida)
A 3-song demo of very cool brisk retro thrash in up-tempo, staying close to the Bay-Area patterns; the guys do a good job mixing the direct thrashing with some nice melodic hooks ("Born 2 Thrash"). "Sacrificed In Vain" is heavier, with a slight technical edge; "The Call Of War" slows down, but retains the technical guitars, mixing them with heavy stomping riffage, and a great melodic lead guitar tune near the end.
F.C.D.N. EP, 1991
Sometimes They Come Back... To Mosh Full-length, 2005
After The Promise Full-length, 1992
Spirit to Rebel Full-length, 1994
To the Front Full-length, 1996
Aku Tak Peduli Full-length, 1998
Made in Malaysia Full-length, 1998
F.T.G. Full-length, 2000
Made in Malaysia Vol.2 Full-length, 2001
Reborn Full-length, 2002
Stop this Madness Full-length, 2003
Kuasa Full-length, 2006
The Twisted Rule The Wicked Full-length, 1998
The Will To Power Full-length, 2005
"Where All This Anger Grows" is a worthy follow-up, sounding better than the debut; it thrashes more aggressively (the smashing opener "Bursting Evolution"), but the more derivative, groovy elements are still here, and the rest of the material seldom reaches the intensity of the impressive opener: the up-tempo thrasher "The Pharao" is the exception, and the pounding closer "Three Bullets Ballad", or at least the beginning, since later the song is busy to justify its title that it turns into a tender ballad for a big part, before going up to thrash again near the end. This is not a bad album, but compared to the Mind-Ashes output (their first two albums), it is just decent, to put it mildly.
The third consecutive effort finally paid off: "Of Storytellers and Gunfellas" is the band's finest hour: the guys pay tribute to the 80's Bay Area scene quite often, and this innovation, combined with their already established modern approach, sounds quite appealing. The band waste no time starting the attack from the very beginning, with the brisk thrasher "Disposable Significance", which takes more aggressive dimensions on the following madness "Modern Prophets and Saints". "Deceptive Silence" is totally immersed in modern thrash ala Lyzanxia and the likes, but "A Breathing Plaything" will cause you a headache, with the pounding heavy rhythm section and the speedy riffs. "Grave of an Unknown Soldier" is a nice quiet, lead-driven instrumental, which takes away some of the edge, and the thrashing continues afterwards in a milder manner, with "My Fifteen Minutes" and "Benefactors - Disguised Aggressors". The closer "Erased" is a more ambitious take on the modern/classic formula, mixing slower and faster passages to a fairly cool effect. The balance between the classic and the modern sound is perfectly found on this album in a way not disimilar to the last Squealer release ("The Circle Shuts") and Metallica's "Death Magnetic", with the resemblances with the Americans further aggravated by the rough, James Hetfield-like vocals.
Where All This Anger Grows Ful-Length, 2008
Of Storytellers and Gunfellas Full-length, 2009
Imitations Of Life Full-length, 1999
The die is cast Full-length, 2005
A Face Of Gray Pulchritude Full-length, 2008
Back From The Grave Full-length, 1988
Doesn't Feel Like Laughing... Full-length, 1990
Birthday Full-length, 1991
New Religion Full-length, 1994
Kreuzzug der Gefühle Full-length, 1996
Neues vom Hexer Full-length, 2007
Fierce Cries of The Manic Full-length, 1998
This Brutal EP EP, 2000
This Brutal Reality Full-length, 2005
Faith Fails Full-length, 1992
Fat Totalitarian Metal Full-length, 2005
Raise An Earthquake/Bombman EP, 2006
Left to Rust Full-length, 2007
Factory Tapes Demo, 1989
Guilty Of Everything Demo, 1989
Infectious Blood Demo, 1990
Inexplicable Consciousness Demo, 1991
The Second Death Demo, 1991
Próbafelvételek 1987-1988 Best of/Compilation, 2004
Fantomania Split, 2007
Killers On The Loose Full-length, 2006
"Nuclear Thrashing Attack" is a brilliant follow-up to the striking debut; it offers the same frenzied high-speed thrash, but this is exactly what everyone expected. The intro "Nuclear Devastation" is a bit misleading, as it is heavy and mid-tempo, but when the next number ("Bloodbath") starts, you know you haven't been betrayed. Still, there are some up-tempo tracks: "Kill And Possess", where the guys slow down, but only a little. With Ritual Carnage apparently not active anymore (what a loss!), this band seem like one of the main pretenders for the thrash metal throne in Japan.
Nuclear Thrashing Attack Full-Length, 2007