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.F. (CANADA)
Members of the thrashcorers Spewgore, who are also assistants to Gord "Piledriver" Kirchin in his new project The Exalted Piledriver, gather forces for the release of this simplistic, but enjoyable, tribute to the good old thrash crossover, having also invited the former Eidolon singer Criss Bailey, who would be ultimately hard to recognize, here singing in an attached semi-shouty manner. The music is jolly sharing the seat between mid-period D.R.I. and Suicidal Tendencies's "How will I Laugh Tomorrow,...". emitting loads of catchy hooks, occasionally lashing with force ("Driven Insane"). This is decent stuff showing loyalty to the old school without any unnecessary claims for originality.
Koalition Of The Willing EP, 2011 Official Site 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") here and there. "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.B. BASTARD (SWITZERLAND)
Very good speed/thrash well conformed with the German trends; the music bears resemblances to Warrant, Iron Angel, early Helloween, Angel Dust. "Little Breaker" is a pure speed metal delight with great leads in the Kai Hansen vein, followed by the slower pounding power/thrasher "Nuclear War". "Bastards Never Die" is brisk headbanging speed/thrash, vintage early Angel Dust with excellent leads again. "The Land" is the soft power/heavy metal filler, and "Ride" is a speed/thrash explosion. The last "Fed by Your Blood" calms things down, thrashing in a moderate mid-pace. Unfortunately this talented outfit never recorded anything else, but some of the members later took part in the modern power/thrash metal act What's Up?, with which they released a cool full-length in 1993.
Bastards Never Die! EP, 1987 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 metal 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 grindcore atmosphere here, although on a musical level this one is way higher.
Demonic Demo, 1986 F.K.U. (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.O.B. (CZECH)
Based on "Default", this band plays heavy crushing thrash/death metal of the old school, with very brutal low-tuned vocals. This is an interesting approach to the hybrid, which also gets occasionally fast (the technical blaster "Imagination On The Sea", "Just Another Day"), carrying a weird sense of melody, reflected both in the lead and riff department. The guys never bash with passion, but prefer to deliver gradually with atmospheric insertions, too, and a touch of doom/death ("Land Of Markets"). Thrash takes over on the nice technical "God Is Technology", but the diversity hits the top on the merry stoner closer "Restore Default", an all-instrumental oddity with jolly, quasi-folky rhythms. Still, this remains an entertaining listen all the way, avoiding the mish-mashy pitfalls where so many contemporary ambitious attempts fall.
Blame? EP, 2000 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 a few 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 (1995-1999), 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 act Mind-Ashes. The style here is different, being modern groovy thrash with just passing 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 A VIRUS (POLAND)
Based on the "Behind the War Lines" EP, this act provides very heavy modern thrash which crushes in a constant mid-pace with occasional awkward turns to blasting death metal, plus one stylish exercise in more technical jumpy thrash ("EOFTH"). The vocals are very angry sounding like a more low-tuned version of Robb Flynn (Machine Head).
Face of a Virus EP, 2005 My Space 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.
Welcome To Our Souls Full-length, 1998 Official Site FACE OF EVIL (SWEDEN)
A 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 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 FACE THE UNKNOWN (UK)
This act could be considered the continuation of the thrashers X-Seed who released a solitary album in the mid-90's. The music at play here is quite close to the modern post-thrash heard on that album, here slower with a darker guitar sound, but by no means better: this is boring clumsy stuff with repetitive heavy-handed riffs; too slow even for the modern thrash metal fans.
Face the Unknown EP, 2009 Official Site 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 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 abstract spacey leads and even funk-ish moments to the 10-ton hammering 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 metal trying to find the perfect balance between the energetic blitzkrieg 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 smashing blast-beats) and "Time To Judge" belong. There are occasional touches of gothic ("Deep Silent Water", "Lurch In My Cradle"), and even doom ("Ghosts Gliding", which boasts 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 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 as well: "Despair".
Born in Fear Demo, 2008 My Space FADED LINE
Edgy brisk modern all-instrumental thrash metal, both slower and faster, with a few more technical breaks, but mostly direct and aboveboard, partially "betrayed" by several metalcore passages. The sound quality is very clear making the guitars sound very sharp and lashing, but at the same time giving a little chance for the bass to be heard.
Contemplating Oblivion EP, 2010 FADOM (GREECE)
These Greek "thrash bandicoots" let it loose with merry roller-coaster retro speed/thrash mixing the sharp riffage of Anthrax and early Mordred with slacker crossover arrangements. More modern sounds with a Swedish vibe can be caught on "The Rage Of The God", but the rest is the good old thrash, the way it used to be played in the 80's. The singer delivers with his assured clean mid-ranged tember without trying anything adventurous too often.
Thrash Bandicoot Demo, 2011 FAFF-BEY (FINLAND)
Although almost completely unknown, Faff-Bey are one of the better thrash metal bands from Finland. "Birthday" offers cool retro thrash in a nice headbanging tempo, but never very fast, with 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 great intense riffs near the end.
S/M Party EP, 1988 Official Site FAHRENHEIT 212 (GERMANY)
Based on the debut, these Germans pull out prototypical playful power/post-thrash metal 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 a couple of more interesting heavy riffs, but that's all about it; the rest is not even average.
Der Hexer Full-length, 1995 Official Site FAITH OR FEAR (USA)
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 a few 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 metal blends.
In Shadows Lies Utopia Full-length, 2008 Official Site FAITHREAT (GREECE)
Thrash/crossover of the old school, but surprisingly meek, with half the tracks being mid-paced at best, which is a pity since when the guys come out with speed, they sound almost as convincing as D.R.I. and the more recent representatives of the style Municipal Waste. The problem is that apparently they are willing to give a slower twist to the genre, but from just a twist it turns into the dominating sound, making the faster numbers seem like occasional throw-ins. The singer is cool, though, staying close to Kurt Brecht (D.R.I.).
Back to the pit Full-length, 2009 Official Site FALL (USA)
Based on "Fierce Cries of The Manic", these guys play 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 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, actually, but a closer soundalike would be mid-period Carcass, including the vocal duels, so typical for the early works of the Brits. "Embodied" is a fine exercise in 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 a more 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 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 FALLENLIGHT (INDONESIA)
The "Last Man Standing" demo: 2 songs of merry-go-round black/thrash metal in the spirit of Motorhead and the Swedes Bewtiched, the black metal tag mostly based on the evil raspy singer. Fast-paced, slightly abrasive, guitars follow through acquiring a more sinister Celtic Frost-esque tone on the 2nd track "Obsolete".
OSBM Demo 2005 My Space FALLEN ANGEL (SWEDEN)
Apparently apart from Hexenhaus there were other quality thrash metal 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 not 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 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 were the "gods" of Swedish thrash metal back in the 80's, Fallen Angel were not too far behind.
Trapped In Syberia EP, 1990 FALLEN ANGELS (ITALY)
This is modern power/thrash metal of the calmer type, the only aggressive thing being the brutal death metal vocals, and the short smasher "God is Dead" in the middle. Otherwise the guys acquit themselves with crisp melodic guitar work and a couple of more complex progressive arrangements.
Hell\'s Top 5 EP, 2007 My Space FALLEN ANGELS (USA)
Good 80's speed/thrash metal 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 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 a more technical play with faster "ornaments", a track which strangely reminds me of the Dutch Asphyx. "Slaves In Words" follows, abandoning the technicality, 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 cool lead guitar performance as well. The closer "Massacred By Madness" thrashes with full force for about 6.5-min, exiting quite well with a Death-like technical twist, much slower, but truly satisfying.
Rise From Ashes Full-length, 2008 My Space FALLEN DECADE (CANADA)
Modern thrash metal with classic overtones; cool melodic stuff with rougher semi-shouty vocals. The guys' strength lies in the speedy pieces ("Perimetr") whereas the slower side is less original delivering in a more quiet mid-tempo manner ("Then It Dies"). Some of the musicians play similar stuff with Social Disease, maybe a bit more power metal-based.
Under No God Full-length, 2009 My Space FALLEN FATE (UK)
Based on the full-length, this band plays decent modern thrash relying on enchanting Oriental melodies (the beautiful "Origin of Sin") to pull it through, but the headbangers won't be disappointed, either, with ripping pieces like "Descendancy", and the more classic-sounding speedster "Asphyxihate". The compositions in the middle grow bigger in length, with an increased presence of melody, recalling more recent Trivium (Shogun, in particular), which are basically the major influence.
Revengance EP 2008 Offical Site 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
F.C.D.N. EP, 1991
Expect the same roller-coaster atmosphere on "Where Moshers Dwell"; the guys thrash with power the whole time, slowing down, but just to produce the desirable change ("The Pit And The Poser", which will remind you of the Metal Church period with Mike Howe; the singer is actually quite close to the greatness of the latter, and right now he is one of the more impressive voices in thrash metal equally as convincing both in the rougher and more melodic department.). The moshers, wherever they "dwell", will do no wrong tracking this monster down which will entertain both those who like their speed/thrash more controlled in up-tempo, and the ones who prefer short proto-blasting furious killers.
Sometimes They Come Back... To Mosh Full-length, 2005
Where Moshers Dwell Full-length, 2009
"The Dice" flows in a similar vein, maybe adhering to melody more often (the playful groover "Spam Exported"). Hard and grindcore have been introduced to make the picture more appealing (well, that's relative), but the catchy melodic hooks are literally everywhere, making this effort the more impressive one compared to its predecessor.
Follow the Instructions Full-length, 2003
Default Full-length, 2005
The Dice Full-length, 2008
Tomorrow's Fires Full-length, 2011
"Aku Tak Peduli" is more modern and more melodic, still holding a few more aggressive "surprises": "Askar (Biar Putih Tulang)", "Aku Tak Peduli", but the majority of the songs are proto-modern "sleepers" with repetitive riffs and mellow hooks.
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 too busy to justify its title so 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 3rd 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, but 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 dissimilar to the last Squealer release ("The Circle Shuts") and Metallica's "Death Magnetic", the resemblances with the Americans further aggravated by the good rough James Hetfield-like vocals.
"Divisions And Hierarchies" shows no signs of slowing down, producing another sure-handed slab of modern/classic thrash which starts in a nice energetic manner with "Isolation" promising a lot of headbanging moments not far from recent paradox at their best. "The Art Of Silence" thrashes even harder adding good sing-along choruses. Sparce blast-beats can even be heard on "Integrity Of The Sun", which continues the speed/thrashing saga on full-throttle. "Executed For A Thought" is a more lyrical moment: a mid-paced crusher with a few beautiful melodies and genuine technical passages; a very cool "interlude", after which another "thrashin' madder" comes: "Reality (Divisions Of Life)", but this pales in comparison to the following "Seventeen Years", which is furious thrash at its best. "Apotheosis" is a 2-min atmospheric keyboard-infused reliever, well needed, but steel gallops will overwhelm you on "False Hierarchies", before "Synthetic Heart" wraps it up in a heavy semi-balladic fashion with plenty of soloing and fine melodic hooks. This is by all means the guys' finest hour, and although the infatuation with Paradox, is quite obvious, the high level of professionalism displayed here is without questioning, finally justifying the band's strong pedigree.
Where All This Anger Grows Ful-Length, 2008
Of Storytellers and Gunfellas Full-length, 2009
Divisions And Hierarchies Full-length 2011
Behind the War Lines EP, 2006
The debut is a cool effort with a more classic sound recalling the Americans Ultimatum and mid-period Exodus, also boasting nice semi-clean vocals ala David Wayne (R.I.P.) and Steve Souza. The tempo is again mid for most of the time, but the riffs bite with power and crush admirably providing one major headbanger at the end: "Attack", which thrashes wild as though to compensate for the previous less energetic material.
"The Die Is Cast" is another heavy steam-roller, but the pace is more energetic this time providing speedy numbers well before the end: "Trashdance", which is intense retro thrash metal, and the following "The Black Order" which a tad more melodic with a pinch of Madball-esque hardcore, and before the end another classic headbanging surprise awaits you: "Reborn". This mix is fairly entertaining, actually, and it would be interesting to check whether it was a transition towards a full-blooded attack on the next album...
Imitations Of Life Full-length, 1999
The Die Is Cast Full-length, 2005
Hunting Season Opened Full-length, 2009
At Death's Door Full-length, 2010
A Face Of Gray Pulchritude Full-length, 2008
"Hell Is Here" brings "hell here" and there, ably assisted by all the 4 tracks from the EP, with the new material doing its best to thrash along, and the opening trio ("Hell is Here", "Source of Madness", "R.I.P (Religions Is a Plague)") will bang a lot of heads, before the "Intro", strangely placed in the middle, only lightly calms things down. Then follow the songs from the EP accompanied by the new piece "Terror", which is another fast ripping thrasher. The band doesn't disappoint, and fans of the good old thrash metal will be pleased all over to hear their favourite music palyed with competence and enthusiasm.
Hell Is Here Full-length, 2010
"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 a melodic insipid mix of post-thrash, groove, crossover, funk, grunge and ballads- simply awful; a really degrading way to end a thrash metal-fixated career.
The debut is a raw brutal affair, primal thrash/crossover with a buzzy guitar soud and violent shouty semi-death metal vocals. "The Slaymaker" is a nice switch to full-blooded intense thrash ala Slayer (a nod to the American made with the title as well?), and later on one more exercise in a similar vein follows suit: "I'm the Tormentor". The closer "Back from the Grave" is another "break" from the pattern being a slow moody piece in the spirit of early Celtic Frost.
"Doesn't Feel Like Laughing..." calms down in the music department quite a bit, but the brutal vocals remain; this gem would be a no-brainer to the classic thrash metal fan. Now the delivery is purely thrashy, and the guys start lashing with force from the very beginning with the title track which begins in a mlder mid-paced way before it turns into a smashing ball of fury near the end. "Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts" is an obvious nod to the Beatles' legendary album title-wise, but in the music department we have an awesome speed/thrasher in the best tradition of early Angel Dust and Toxic Shock. "Six Feet Under Ground" is in the same vein, a short blitzkrieg instrumental, followed by the much calmer "The Eyes of Mephistopheles", a heavy mid-pacer with an obligatory speedy passage in the middle. On the next "I'm So Sue" the assault carries on with full force this one being the ultimate killing speedster- thrash till death here, guys! "Bleed for Me" is another aggressive heads-down thrasher, and later on there is very little mercy shown "I Drink Your Blood" bashing out in a less controlled proto-death fashion, the pressure taken away a bit by the following short crossover joke with the even jokier title "Cunt Wanking Men". The final "The Second Funeral" is again in a more laid-back mid-paced manner with a slight power metal feel, a well deserving break for the guys who up to that point must have sprained quite a few necks along the way, and not only in Finland.
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
The band are back after a whole century... oops, sorry, only 20 years of absence. This is actually a compilation of unreleased tracks from their post-"Punishment Area" period. The guys have preserved the Bay-Area spirit to an extent, although again they were not brave enough to come up with a more aggressive material, so the music here recalls Testament again, and more particularly "Souls of Black" on the more intense moments, and "The Ritual" for most of the time. Since this is a compilation, it shouldn't be a surprise that the album is whole 14 tracks long. The 2nd half actually shows the band's teeth with the mid-paced crushers "Hidden By Animosity" and "True Life", and later on things get really "scary" with the brutal proto-death sound on "Sacrifice", and the thrashy monster "Straight To Hell". Unfortunately the guys are quick to spoil the impression with some bland 90's groove on "Disintegration" and "Power Lies", and although the last two songs bring back the edgier thrash metal patterns, especially "Planet X" with its interesting semi-technical hooks, this effort can hardly be viewed as one of the best compilation albums of recent years.
3 years after the compilation, which introduced every track the band have composed to light, the band are back with their 2nd full-length. However, it will hardly please the old fans of the group revolving around not very exciting proto-groovy patterns with a strict modern flavour which seldom gets dissipated by the casual reference to the classic field, and seldom have a strong thrashy bite. The music is not very eventful, in a constant mid-pace (the short semi-headbanger "Afterglow" is the sole more energetic number), introducing a tender romantic all-instruental "CJ") as a final touch, which is embarrassing, not parring well even with the mellow material heard previously. This effort can barely pass for a decent one, and is really far from any high, past or present, standards.
Instruments of Death Compilation, 2009
Titanium Full-length, 2012
Fierce Cries of The Manic Full-length, 1998
This Brutal EP EP, 2000
This Brutal Reality Full-length, 2005
Last Man Standing Demo 2010
Faith Fails Full-length, 1992
"Engines Of Oppression" is a really good slab of thrash once again, this time without any takes from death metal whatsoever, and with several modern elements added. The guys start thrashing hard from the get-go with the intense Bay-Areasque "Engines Of Oppression", and the next "Forever Burned" is a pure speedster in the best tradition of Paradox's "Heresy": check the brilliant Kai Hansen-like leads on this one, too. "The Veil" slows down adding balladic and epic passages, but all hell breaks loose once again on the excellent speed/thrasher "Minds Of No Emotion". "Rebirth" is a short 1-min acoustic instrumental, but the "carnage" carries on with the more technical approach on "Legacy Of Pain". "The Gates Of Irony" is another headbanging paradise, and "Descension Into Madness" slows things down big time reaching even doom proportions in the middle to a very good impression; watch out also for the great folk/acoustic exit. "To Dust" is more modern-sounding, but the riffs lash no worse there takng a nice technical, almost Coroner-esque, shape at some point. Another peaceful instrumental interlude, this time longer (close to 2-min), and called "Remembrance", follows suit, before the closing "Laid To Rest" shoots everyone at close range mixing raging with more technical riffs to a fairly impressive effect again recalling Paradox. The lead guitarist steals the show pulling out amazing performance all over, but the others assist him quite well to produce one of the most impressive entires into the thrash metal catalogue of 2010.
Engines Of Oppression Full-length, 2010
The Virus Has Spread Full-length 2011
Fat Totalitarian Metal Full-length, 2005
Raise An Earthquake/Bombman EP, 2006