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

G.I.S.M. (JAPAN)

Based on "Detestation", this is a raw, simplistic, but effective mix of early thrash/crossover and Celtic Frost (considering the time of release). The album offers a fairly brutal for its time sound, and can definitely be considered one of the more extreme early recordings; the music is not very fast, but keeps a good tempo throughout, and the vocals are really aggressive, being low, semi-death (yes, indeed!) ones, sounding like a more vicious Tom G. Warrior. The punk atmosphere is still present, but delivered in a much more brutal way. There are some classic heavy metal tunes thrown in, which reportedly increased on the band's second full-length release. While Loudness were pleasing the metal crowds with their radio-friendly hard'n heavy style, this band were laying the foundations for far more exreme sounds to come in the near future...

Detestation Full-length, 1984
M.A.N. Full-length, 1987
Sonicrime Therapy Full-length, 2001

Official Site

G.O.D. (HONDURAS)

Honduras is not a very hot place for metal- that's why this band comes as a complete surprise. The guys have done a marvellous job; this is first class technical power/thrash obviously influenced by Helstar's "Nosferatu". The guitar work is stunning- great solos and twin-guitar melodies ala Iron Maiden, and stupendous technical riffs. The music is mostly up-tempo, never very fast and aggressive, and the fine dual lead guitar lines are all over the place, as well the galloping rhythm- all nicely displayed on the instrumental opener "Facing The Omnipotent". The compositions are in the 5-7min range, and are filled with various, sometimes a bit unexpected, but utterly compelling, time changes; at times the sound moves towards more intense speed/thrash ("Scavengers", "Driven By Hate"), at times it excels in technical riffage ("Skeptic's D.N.A."). "Metal Empire" is a masterpiece of technical/progressive thrash, the closer of this great album; a complex opus, which is a conglomerate of moods and brilliant guitar melodies: some- quite sharp and jumpy, others- with a great doze of melody. The singer is yet to catch up with the music: his mid-ranged, semi-clean tone lacks dramatism and emotion, which are mandatory for the style.

Incandescent full-length, 2002

Official Site

GABISH (JAPAN)

This very little known, but very worthy band offer quite good energetic, but not very aggressive thrash, topped by vicious, hoarse vocals with a black-ish vibe. This is old school stuff, with some very nice bass work, and some really stylish leads (the riff-work is of the more standard type)- check out the great "Flash Back". Shades of the German wave could be heard ("Bottom Head", featuring some nice rolling riffs ala Destruction), as well as a really fine nod to early Celtic Frost ("Complently"), but otherwise this band don't sound like anyone else, mainly because the lead guitar, with a unique sound of its own, takes a considerable space from the album, making it a really engaging and original listen. The speed increases on the last 3 songs, showing the more intense side of this nice little gem.

The End Of The World Full-length, 1994

GACK (USA)

This band are virtually all Laaz Rockit members minus the drummer, who comes from Defiance. The old school veterans have obviously gotten tired with the scene, and the style here is firmly in the modern 90's thrash vein ala Pantera; shades of "Nothing Sacred" can still be heard, but they're not too many, and despite the aggressive sound on this album, Gack couldn't be classified any higher than just a pale shadow of Laaz Rockit.

Fix full-length, 1993

GAMA BOMB (UK)

The British thrash metal scene which has given some of the finest bands in the genre in the 80's and early 90's, has been stagnating fast since then, with only occasional sparkles here and there. With bands like Gama Bomb things might go back to the right track, finally. The music is speedy (but not very) thrash with some American power metal flavour recalling Helstar, Liege Lord, Attacker, the Canadians Anvil, Agent Steel's debut. The vocals still need some working on, because this Lemmy-like style doesn't really fit the sound. Reportedly, the band have had some hardcore influences on their demos similar to Nuclear Assault, but here they could hardly be heard. British thrash metal starts to pull itself together again.
"Citizen Brain" is a smashing follow-up, showing the band in fine form to produce some great headbanging thrash again. These are 15 tracks of heads-down retro thrash; no shades of American power metal this time, just in-your-face thrash aggression, which could only be compared to Razor's "Shotgun Justice", or Vio-Lence's "Eternal Nightmare", or the Swedes F.K.U., of the more recent acts; a thrash masterpiece which will surely be in many top tens for 2008, and may also top quite a few of them up.

Survival of the fastest full-length, 2005
Citizen Brain Full-length, 2008

Official Site

GAMMACIDE (USA)

Awesome aggressive thrash which combines the fury of Slayer and Dark Angel with some more technical riffage; pretty much one of its kind in those days. This is a monolithic wall of aggression, which never breaks, and even hardens the course at times- the furious blast beats on "Shock Treatment" and "Gutter Rats". The 4-song demo could have been the rehearsal for another fine brutal slab of thrash, although the sound here more often smells death metal, and will probably remind you of the French Massacra as well. The technical riffs are more often present, and the overall guitar sound is heavier and faster, making this little gem a really intense listen. With the death/thrash mixtures being quite fashionable at that time, this band could have made quite an impression on the scene with their uncompromising, but also quite technical delivery.

Victims of science full-length, 1989
Demo Demo, 1991

Official Site

GANGRENA GASOSA (BRAZIL)

Based on the debut, this band play a more aggressive form of thrash/crossover, going well beyond the more restrained attempts in this genre made by their compatriots Ratos De Porao. This music is more varied featuring some rap and even samba moments, bringing the band's sound at times closer to Rage Against The Machine and Biohazard.

Welcome to terreiro full-length, 1993
Smells like a tenda spiríta full-length, 2000
6/6/6 EP, 2006

Official Site

GARDEN WALL (ITALY)

This unique progressive metal act, who have whole 6 full-length albums in their discography, have given their tribute to the more unusual side of thrash on this one. The guys indulge in long, sprawling songs, where a lot of things happen, but there is seldom a dull moment, except for a few overlong balladic sections. Here those sections are put to the minimum, and this album is a masterpiece of intricate, twisted thrash. "Lead" is a great progressive thrasher, with brilliant surreal riffs, and some aggressive, speedy moments, and, of course, the obligatory hallucinogenic slower passage in the middle. "Hatred" is slower and more melodic, relying on heavy, less intricate riffs and longer quiet sections. "Anniversary" follows the same formula, but "Bisturi" is wondeful, abstract progressive thrash at its balladic parts: twisted, swirling riffs, entwined with lyrical, balladic passages, mid-tempo to slow, but utterly compelling. With "Deinococcus Radiodurans" the more aggressive, faster thrashing returns, but the arrangements remain quite complex and eclectic. "Obsession" is a more immediate, again more energetic technical thrasher, with a surreal atmospheric middle break. "Christmas Eve" is the only more conventional track, with heavy, more straight riffs, but the next "Negation of Becoming" largely compensates for that, bringing the music back to the very technical level, although the approach on this one is slow, with more emphasis on abstract and more melodic melodies. The closing "Dreams Slayer" is not a very distant departure, and is an amalgam of straight thrashy riffs and some illogical music decisions, still quite intriguing and vortex-like. On their other works the band insert the odd more aggressive passage, but this is their only effort, which strictly belongs here.

Forget the Colours Full-length, 2002

Official Site

GARGOYLE (JAPAN)

This is a very interesting band who play straight-forward thrash most of the time, but on every album there are a couple of very offbeat, eclectic tracks which one either learns to like, or learns to hate for their non-thrash, and sometimes even non-metal, nature. Let's take the debut "Misogi", for example: it begis with the smashing thrashing delight "Destroy", and if they had carried on in the same spirit, there would have been hardly a single band to dispute their leadership on the Japanese thrash scene; it lasts for nearly 7-min, and will leave you tired with headbanging. "Bala Åkån Vara" is close to hardcore/punk, alternating melodic with very fast sections. Then things get back to normal, woth a couple of intense thrashing numbers, until the completely non-metal, pointless "Certain Feel". After it whatever comes will not be as satisfying, although some tracks are crushing thrashers, not far behind the opener, but one should always watch out for the next melodic deviation (two more come later). Almost every subsequent album follows the same pattern, mixing contrasting styles, and perhaps this is the reason why this band are not mentioned right beside truer to thrash acts, like Outrage, Jurassic Jade, Ground Zero, Doom, etc.

Misogi full-length, 1989
Furebumi full-length, 1990
Kaikoroku ep, 1992
Aratama full-length, 1992
Tenron full-length, 1993
Tsuki no toge full-length, 1994
Natural full-length, 1995
Gaia full-length, 1998
Junrein EP, 1998
Fuuin (~who in~) full-length, 2000
Future drug full-length, 2001
Wa full-length, 2002
Bushin battle gargoyle ep, 2002
Kemonoichi full-length, 2003
Ronpu full-length, 2005

Official Site

GARGOYLE (USA)

This is a unique band simply because at that time very few bands managed to achieve the same level of intensity. It's beyond me how these guys never became big as they deserved to be, much more than 90% of those who did after them. Slayer's "Show No Mercy" played faster with a more aggressive attitude is what the band offer us, and it gets better and more brutal with each song. From the two demos "Violence Is Golden" arguably contains the better and faster material boasting also a clearer production. Very rare, but utterly essential!

Unleashed demo, 1985
Violence is golden demo, 1985

GARLIC BOYS (JAPAN)

This not very known outside their homeland band have been one of the stalwarts on the punk/hardcore scene in Japan, but one day have decided to challenge their thrash metal colleagues, and have done a marvellous job on these two albums. Elements from their punk/hardcore career are present, of course, but only sparingly, and both efforts are commendable thrash works, energetic and up-tempo most of the time, with some stylish guitar work, reminiscent of Voivod (both their very early period, and their mid-one), mostly on "Psycho Thrash", but often the music takes a more playful attitude recalling Motorhead and Exciter. On the shortest songs (1-2min) the guys go straight into grind core, but fortunately these moments are not that many. "Smegmania" contains the faster and more aggressive material, and hardcore is more frequently present, bringing the sound close to early Prong and Suicidal Tendencies.

Psycho Thrash Full-Length
Smegmania Full-Length

GASCHAMBER (USA)

It shouldn't take so long for these guys to produce a follow-up, because from one of the promising American thrash metal bands of the new millennium, they might remain just a one-album wonder, and it would be a pity. Their debut is smashing thrash along the lines of Violence's "Eternal Nightmare" and Slayer's "Reign In Blood". Hopefully the band will wake up for another hit soon!

Gaschamber full-length, 2002

Official Site

GEHENNAH (SWEDEN)

A black/thrash metal band heavily influenced by Venom. The music is heavier than the one of the Brits, but it has a very uplifting, cheerful quality typical for the works of another British band- yes, you guessed right: Motorhead. The band's music could very well serve for the background of some metal party.

Hardrocker full-length, 1995
King of the sidewalk full-length, 1996
Decibel rebel full-length, 1997
10 years of fucked up behaviour EP, 2003

My Space

GEISHA GONER (POLAND)

A good technical thrash metal band. Their style is choppy with numerous tempo changes and at times the longer tracks start to lose coherence, but the stylish guitar work saves the day. “Hunting For The Human” increases the complexity considerably, introducing numerous elements outside the thrash metal field, but at the same time contains some really aggressive tracks: “Dreams” (the only one of its kind here), also with a cool technical edge. The music becomes too avantgarde at times, bringing to mind Voivod even, but never degenerates into the insipid post-thrash the Canadians started playing at some stage. Another reference point would be the mid-works of their compatriots Wolf Spider, but here the music is slower, and more choppy. The headbanging moments are few, but the elaborate song-structures will keep you on the alert all the time. The only downpoint is the hard’n heavy number “Good Bye, Goner, Good Bye” near the end (yeah, it would be indeed good-bye, and even farewell, if you keep on playing crap like that!). There is some nice funky bass work; the vocals on both albums are from the aggressive, semi-death type, seldom interrupted by more melodic, clean ones (on the second album).

Catching Broadness Full-Length, 1992
Hunting For The Human Full-Length, 1994

Fan Site

GENESIS OF AGGRESSION (POLAND)

One would hardly trace the genesis of aggression (pun intended) with this one; this is laid-back, melodic thrash, which could be considered quite a phenomenon, having a distinctive groovy sound, which just a few years later would revolutionize the music scene big time. This is not the angry thrash of Exhorder and Pantera; this stuff was later further developed on the Metallica Black Album, the works of Flotsam & Jetsam and Anthrax in the 90's, 90's Chastain as well, and many others. "Empty Gestures" speeds up, bringing some more classic riffs, with a certain Metallica-vibe, resemblance also aggravated by the good James Hetfield-like vocals. The focus is clearly not on intensity: there are 3 ballads, one of which: "Weakness", has nice heavy riffs, and even the most aggressive tracks ("Under Age") come with a playful, optimistic attitude. This is the first real precursor to the 90's modern wave in thrash, and as such this band deserve to be much better known.

Disappointment Full-length, 1989

GENETIC WISDOM (HOLLAND)

This band are the continuation of the techno-thrashers Sacrosanct, but the music here is slighly modernized and probably less adventurous. The debut is the more ambitious one, with clear pretensions for the tag "progressive thrash", with long, complex songs where a lot of things happen, but the band never forget to insert the necessary amount of fast riffage; the music is closer to the works of late 80's Metallica, than to the last Sacrosanct offering, but is very effective and almost as good, even including one monstrous semi-ballad: the 9-min "Psycho Love", both a very dreamy and heavy number. The follow-up is more immediate with shorter songs, less technical approach, and the modern tendencies are more strongly hinted at.

The fear dimension full-length, 1993
Humanity on parole full-length, 1994

GENETICA (ARGENTINA)

The band's style is a direct take on Machine Head's softer period (1999-2004); this is melodic, groovy thrash which occasionally moves towards stoner/doom: "Odio", or a more aggressive sound ala "Vulgar Display of Power": "LLegar". Oh, and there is one ballad at the end for the lovers: "Hermano Mio".

Golpe Maldito Full-Length, 2006

GENETICIDE (USA)

This band's line-up includes Doug- the drummer who later joined Fear of God. Although the songs on this demo are short, within the 2-2.5min range, the guys manage to come up with a mix of four styles: thrash, hardcore, death metal and even grindcore. This is quite a wild mixture, and might not be to everyone's taste.

Circle of Insult Demo, 1988

GENGHIS KHAN (USA)

Fairly good power/thrash, coming as a more thrashy Sanctuary, or Attacker, with a dark, haunting sound, created by the heavy, but very stylish guitar work. The tempo is mostly mid-paced, but "The Pillars of R'Leyh" is a nice galloping thrasher (remember Attacker's "Second Coming"). Like this wasn't enough, but then comes "Perish & Die" which will catch you absolutely unprepared with its uncompromising, aggressive sound- thrashing madness at its best! The guys are masters of the more lyrical side of metal as well, shown with the brilliant acoustic ballad "The Passage"- truly an achievement. The vocals are just great, being slightly hoarse, semi-clean, high-pitched, sometimes to the point of screech-iness, but very well suited to the music at play.

The Passage Demo, 1989

GENITAL DEFORMITIES (UK)

On their only album these guys mix the stomping rhythms of early Celtic Frost with thrash/crossover. The sinister death metal vocals do not suit the music very well; otherwise this is not too bad, with the Celtic Frost influenced sections working better.

Shag Nasty ! Full-length, 1989

GENOA (JAPAN)

This EP, which actually contains 11 whole songs (but more than half of them barely go over the 1-min range), is pure thrash/crossover happiness, quite intense and aggressive at times ("What a Wonderful Life! Ha!!", "Devil Thrasher"), even smelling grind-core ("Monthly's Guest") with harsh, vicious vocals which fit the sound quite well.

What A Wonderful Life!Ha!! EP, 1988

GENOCIDE (USA, Chicago)

A fine demo of American power/thrash along the lines of Helstar and Griffin. Nice clean, soaring vocals and cool melodic guitar lines are the highlight here. "Imminent Impact" shows the band well able to handle some more aggressive thrash ala Exodus and Dark Angel. The follower "Mercenary of Evil" is vintage Helstar which beats most of the tracks from that band's same year's "Remnants of War". "Bloody Mess" is a fine heavy, mid-paced smasher with a fine atmospheric, doomy ending.

Demo Demo, 1986

GENOCIDE (USA, Flint MI)

Raw, messy, noisy and quite brutal thrash from a band who would later write some important pages from metal history under the name of Repulsion. At least on these three demos these guys show no promise at all for better things to come with their very amateurish musicianship.

Toxic metal demo, 1984
Violent death demo, 1985
The stench of burning death demo, 1986

GENOCÍDIO (BRAZIL)

A very good and long-running band on the Brazilian metal scene, Genocidio started like many other bands from the same country imitating early Sepultura. Then their raw approach developed into death metal with gothic influences in the mid 90's. Then the guys really messed it up with the very weak "One Of Them..."- uninspired and highly derivative modernized, industrial death metal with influences from where the hell. However, it was all forgiven after the godly "Rebellion", one of the finest thrash/death metal albums of the past ten years: a stellar album with tight, fast, technical play not heard in a long time. No more experiments from now on (hopefully!).

Genocídio ep, 1987
Depression full-length, 1990
Hoctaedrom full-length, 1993
Posthumous full-length, 1996
One of them... Full-length, 1999
Rebellion full-length, 2002
Hiatus EP, 2007

Official Site

GENÖCIDE (USA)

Thrash/crossover, quite decent, but not of the sharp, hard-hitting type, somewhat reminiscent of D.R.I., but the music here is more melodic, and with a more open punk-ish attitude, and a certain Motorhead and Exciter shade in the guitar sound ("Sociopath"). The good thing is that there is a variety in the approach: it's not only speedy numbers which one can find here, but there are some slower ones, only that the little sharpness which the guitars have, in these songs it almost disappears.

Submit to Genöcide Full-length, 1987

Official Site

GEORGE HARRISON (RUSSIA)

This band have nothing to do with The Beatles, neither music or member-wise, despite the name. Even if the guys are fascinated with the Beatles' member, at least their music doesn't show it anywhere; this is very fast, well-played hardcore-ish thrash reminiscent of Wehrmacht and Spazztic Blurr. The band offer several vocal styles, but rest assured that this is the same band all over. There's no room for quiet moments here, this is heads-down headbanging attack. This album is actually the band's complete discography, so you won't be missing a single track once you get ahold of it.

Fist Two Years Full-Length, 2005

GHORD (FRANCE)

Thrash/death of the modern variety, which is far from the high models from the same country, from the early 90's. The music is mostly mid-paced, and despite some more brutal moments ("Blasphemy", "Bloodsuckers"), it doesn't really pack a punch, often coming accompanied by gothic tunes and cool acoustic passages (the ending of "I'm Your Butcher"). The closer "Sublime Disasters" deserves to be mentioned, too, mixing aggressive and pounding riffs, reminding of the glorious heritage of the French thrash/death metal scene.

Underworld in Mourning Full-length, 2007

My Space

GHOST STORY (USA)

Ghost Story were founded by Chris Baker- the man who was part of the great Atheist, and presently has another very good technical thrash/death project: Gnostic (see the review on the same page a few lines below). Based on the "Seeds of Destruction" demo, this band play quite good fast-paced thrash metal, bearing resemblances to the Angel Dust's debut, and Paradox. "Circle of Fear" takes a heavier, more aggressive approach, featuring nice technical riffs without losing the speed. Hopefully this was a warm-up for their later efforts.

Seeds of Destruction Demo, 1989
The Image And Reality Demo, 1990
Ghost Story Demo, 2003

My Space

GHOSTRIDER (ITALY)

Raw, mostly mid-paced black/thrash not far from the early efforts of Sodom and Bathory. There is some less serious, almost punk-ish attitude on some moments, especially on the vocals which are slightly reminiscent of Quorthon (R.I.P.), but more evil and less developed. The band later went onto much bigger fame under the name Necrodeath.

Rehearsal Demo, 1984
The Exorcist Demo, 1984
Mayhemic Destruction Demo, 1985

GHOUL (USA)

Started as a side project for two members of the death metallers Impaled, Ghoul quickly became a full-time band. The music has a death metal flavour, but is much more thrash with a nod to the German school as well as a certain doze of Carcass put inside. This is a really cool band who offer a nice deviation from the sea of modern death/thrash metal.

We came for the dead full-length, 2002
Maniaxe full-length, 2003
Splatterthrash full-length, 2006

My Space

GHOUL-CULT (NORWAY)

Classic thrash: a combination of early Celtic Frost and Sodom. The Celtic Frost-inspired sections work better, the culmination being the very cool atmospheric, experimental track "Trionfo Della Morte", which has a strong "Into the Pandemonium" spirit (could have been writen by the Swiss- kidding, of course!). Some more intense death metal passages could be heard here and there. The vocals are very fitting to the music, being a vicious blend of the two Tom's in thrash: G, Warrior and Angelripper (hey, I forgot Vetterli (Coroner); but he is Tommy).

Ghoul-Cult Full-length, 2004

GILOTYNA (POLAND)

A blend of classic and modern thrash (more modern) of the mid-tempo, heavy type with death-ish vocals and a nice 5-min "Instrumental", recalling Metallica's instrumental pieces of the 80's ("The Call of Khtullu", in particular).

Germinal Demo, 1996

My Space

GIORNESTO (USA)

Excellent speed/thrash which on the fastest parts touches Forbidden's and Vio-lence's debuts quite a bit, but there are songs which are a bit slower, "decorated" with some original, maybe epic elements, which bring the sound close to the Swiss Drifter, for example. But even on the slower tracks the guys add some fast elements; there's no speed lost here. The vocals are quite high, but very suitable, and will remind you of all the high-pitched screamers on the field at the time: early Warrel Dane, John Cyriis, Mike Sanders, etc.

Virgin Eater Demo, 1987

GLACIAL FEAR (ITALY)

Based on "Atlasphere: the Burning Circle": the band's style is slow-ish, progressively tinged thrash/death metal with acoustic parts, keyboards, abstract female vocals, etc. The sound reminds of the French progressive death metal band Symbyosis at times; a very intriguing listen.

Secrets at the steam forest EP, 1993
Atlasphere: The Burning Circle EP, 1995
Frames full-length, 1997
3 Song Promo EP, 1999
Etish parade Full-Length, 2000
Illmatic EP, 2004
Filthy planet Full-Length, 2007

My Space

GLADIATOR (BRAZIL)

This album contains energetic, but pretty derivative 80's thrash recalling the Bay Area bands, mixed with some moshy riffs ala Anthrax. The leads are particularly stylish, somewhat not fitting to the otherwise ordinary nature of the music, and the bass work sometimes packs a punch, but the Brazilian metal scene, even at that time, had better works to offer.

Dreadful Dreams Full-length, 1992

GLADIATOR (SLOVAKIA)

The band's debut is pure Sepultura worship (think "Arise" and "Beneath the Remains"), quite well done. "Profitable Losses" is a good intense opener, with a slight death metal edge. "Bastard Death" walks the same line, introducing some slower, heavy riffs. The remaining tracks follow the pattern pretty closely, with slight "detours": "Morbid Murdering", which is slower, but is an almost pure death metal number, with nice, semi-technical riffs, and the closing "Useless Child", which for most of the time is heavy, pounding, in the tradition of late 80's Slayer, before the final fast-paced part.
"Made Of Pain" is even better, simply because the band have moved away a bit from the Sepultura influence, but have only won in the process, as their style now has a more individual face, although it will still remind you of many heroes from the 80's: Slayer (above all), Devastation, Vio-Lence, etc. The music is not all-out speed and intensity anymore, and "Sound Of Deep Silence" is a cool mid-paced smasher. Their more aggressive side is the more attractive one, though, and furious pieces, like "Warsouls", "No Fate" and "Debtor Of Rest" will break your necks in no time. "My World" is a slightly awkward melodic, modern sounding track, not that illogical, considering the future direction the guys took very soon after this one, but the short ball of aggression "Your World" and the closer "For All Gods" will apologize big time for this one. The latter even brings back some of the death metal intensity from the debut, along with some fine technical moments. However, the 90's were calling for a change, ad the band, albeit staying true to the retro sound for a while, were tempted to try something more modern, and the very next tear they took a U-turn from thrash, having released 8 full-lengths so far of not really impressive modern heavy metal, spiced with big dozes of grunge and groove.

Designation full-length, 1992
Made of pain full-length, 1993

Official Site

GLÖSTER GLADIATTOR (COLOMBIA)

2 songs of typical South American raw thrash, fast-paced, with a fuzzy guitar sound, and chaotic, illogical song-structures, which could have been an influence on the technical metal scene later (ha ha- kidding, of course!).

Glöster Gladiattor Single, 1987

GNOSTIC (USA)

Gnostic are virtually the whole Atheist line-up without Kelly Shaefer. The style recalls this band's early efforts, but the concentration is more on thrash metal this time, with great technical/progressive sections and vortex-like, twisted riffs, plus some slight modern "updates". "Mind Lock" is the only unmitigated failure here, where the band moves into more conventional progressive territory with melodic guitars, recalling Spastik Ink. The only thing which could be a kind of distraction, are the hardcore vocals. With Atheist reportedly back in the game with the original line-up, the future of this band is uncertain.

Splinters of Change Demo, 2005
Isolate Gravity Demo, 2006

Official Site

GOATSODOMIZER (SWEDEN)

Based on the "This Mean War" 3-song demo, this band play mid-paced, bass-dominated retro thrash, more on the melodic side, but cool enough; bears shades of early Celtic Frost, Barathrum, the Italians Doomsword on the slower moments, some battle atmosphere as well.

This Mean War Demo, 2000
Rapin' My Graveyard Demo, 2002

Official Site

GOD (SWEDEN)

This is the same band as the one which follows, but without the BC. It features two members of the technical thrashers Agretator who here are content enough to come up with more ordinary riffs. The music is quite aggressive, even bordering on death metal (the opener "Eternal War"), but this is quite misleading, as the rest has a certain slower, almost doomy edge which, mixed with the thrashy guitars, creates quite an original sound. See the next review to find out about the band's future metamorphosis.

Four Wise Men Demo, 1988

GOD BC (SWEDEN)

Excellent crossover/thrash close to another Swedish band- The Krixhjälters, and Rumble Militia. Nice, catchy songs with good melodies and some surprisingly technical riffs. "Allergy 'Ell" is a great energetic opener, boasting some stylish technical moments, mixed with the direct mighty riffs. "Drunk on Wine" introduces the jolly, up-lifting crossover spirit, and "Viking Tales" is an evil, Celtic Frost-like stomping number, followed by the very cool short instrumental "Also the Deaf Have Ears". At this point the guys have walked all over the metal spectre, and logically they go back from where they started, with the intense thrasher "Marianne". They remain there, actually, for one more song, and "The Light" is first-rate technical thrash, with superb tempo changes, amd some more simplistic leads. "Saints" slows down once again, and could pass for the most melodic track here, cancelled by the much more aggressive "Love of Messiah", which provides a fine technical ending. "S.N.A.", the album closer, is a doomy dark short instrumental, sounding like a variation of the funeral march- a great finishing touch.

Eargasms in Eden Full-Length, 1989

GOD INC (NORWAY)

Modern death/thrash metal with some unexpected semi-clean vocals; the music is a blend of groovy dragging tunes and some brutal, fast sections.

Demo Demo, 2005

My Space

GOD'S SECOND SON (GERMANY)

Energetic mix of classic and modern thrash, with bad shouty hardcore vocals. The album offers both speedy ("God's Second Son") and slower, pounding tracks ("Tha Perfect Murda"). Some jolly, crossover tunes ("Away") can also be heard. The second half offers longer, slower songs, a not very impressive tendency, finished with the overlong, dragging "The Very End" (could have been better, this end, especially if it's the very one, guys...).

Planta 4 Full-Length, 2008

GODS WILL BE DONE (GERMANY)

Good intense old school thrash ala Vio-Lence and Exodus; "High on Hate" is an explosive opener, but later the guys spice things up with some slower moments added to the other songs, until the pure aggression returns with the closing "Near Death Experience"- a smashing headbanger, recalling also Sacred Reich's "Ignorance". The singer will take you in the same direction, with his gruff, Phil Rind-like vocals.

Gods Will Be Done Demo, 2006

My Space

GODSENT HUMANS (USA)

Melodic thrash/crossover with some modern thrash elements and some hard rock tunes.

Liberty or death full-length, 1992

GOJIRA (FRANCE)

One of the better bands of recent days who offer a potent mix of modern 90's thrash, death metal, doom and even a slight shade of hardcore. Their first two albums are more concentrated on death metal, but there is a certain feel of 90's Sepultura as well (think "Chaos AD"), Meshuggah, Mastodon, late period Massacra, and more. The guitar work is really intriguing quite a few times, bringing the sound close to progressive metal, but of the heavier, and more interesting type. There are not any fast songs, the music is mostly mid-paced, with crunchy, chugging riffs. "From Mars To Sirius" could be considered the band's magnum opus at this stage; it's less heavy and more diverse, introducing more thrash, among the other aforementioned influences, but is truly a compelling listen. Despite the high quality of the material released so far, it seems as though the guys' finest hour is yet to come- one of the leading, and best French metal bands these days.

Terra Incognita Full-length, 2000
Maciste All Inferno EP, 2003
The Link Full-length, 2003
From Mars To Sirius Full-length, 2005

My Space

GOLGOTHA (USA)

This band is actually the early incarnation of the the sludge doomsters Acid Bath. Here the guys thrash quite impressively, with the obligatory slower sections, suggesting at the future transition. The music is quite heavy, with crushing riffs, not much speed involved, with some of the finest doom/thrash mixtures ever composed: "Apocalyptic Sunshine", "Reactor Number 4", "Love Eats Its Own". Often it is all-out thrash, more of the up-tempo variety: the excellent dynamic "Cradled In The Arms Of Death"; the brilliant dark technical "Fingerpaintings Of The Insane": a haunting masterpiece with aggressive mid-paced riffage; the furious death-tinged "Nothingness"; the raging riff-fest "What Color Is Death". On the other side we have "Blood Of God": pure doom at its finest. The style is close to the Manilla Road more thrashy period (think "Out of the Abyss", above all), but these guys have done a better job here- no kidding! Dax Riggs has one of the most emotional, deep voices in metal, and his dark, gothic delivery here can seldom be matched; occasonally does he adhere to his unholy death-growls and shrieks, which later took a bigger part on the Acid Bath works. Not that Acid Bath are a bad band; it's just that with this act the guys could have made a much bigger appeal on the scene.

Demo Demo, 1991

My Space

GOMORRAN KANE (FINLAND)

Ordinary mid-paced moderh thrash metal, slightly reminding of the more recent Mokoma works.

Demo Demo,2005

GOMORA (CROATIA)

Dark, gloomy thrash, mostly mid-paced, with rough death-ish vocals. There are shades of doom on some tracks ("Loser", "Tears of Children"), which are the more attractive side of the band's music.

She Full-length, 1997

Official Site

GOMORRHA (GERMANY)

Based on the "Thrashing Madness" demo, this band are more speed/thrash metal-inclined rather than being an example of the more brutal side of the genre, like they apparently thought they were. This is a mix of speed and thrash metal reminiscent of early Helloween and Warrant; a touch of brutality is given by the death-metal styled vocals. The very bad sound quality and the fuzzy guitar sound will prevent you from getting a good listening experience.

Thrashing Madness Demo, 1987
Still Insane Demo, 1989
Doomed Man Demo, 1991
Beyond Believe Demo, 1992

GORE (USA)

Based on the "Massacre of Humanity" demo, this is thrash/crossover along the lines of The Accused and Crumbsuckers.

Stem the Bloodbath Demo, 1986
Massacre of Humanity Demo, 1987

GORTIA (THAILAND)

Based on the EP, this is a mix of black and thrash; the guitars are firmly in the thrash camp, and the black metal shades come in the form of some atmospheric, keyboard-driven passages. This is quite enjoyable energetic, mid-paced thrash in the first half, and quite brutal and vicious on the second one, where some brutal blast beats are implemented alongside the intense thrashy riffage.

Faith Demo, 1999
Total Depravicy EP, 2003
Promo Demo, 2003

GOSPEL OF THE HORNS (AUSTRALIA)

This band were formed by Howitser- a former singer of one of the leading Australian metal acts in recent years- Destroyer 666. The style is not miles away from that band's, being a furious mixture of black, death and thrash metal with a clear old school sound. These guys are a bit more aggressive, sticking to the formula without adding any more melodic epic elements which sneaked into the Destroyers' sound on later releases, and are perhaps more death/black-oriented.

Monuments of Impurity EP, 1998
Eve of the Conqueror EP, 2000
A Call To Arms Full-length, 2002
Realm of The Damned Full-length, 2007

My Space

GOTHA (ITALY)

Based on the "Italian Thrash Assault" demo, this band play classic thrash which hesitates between mid-paced, gothic-tinged numbers ("The darkest Sleep") and faster, more aggressive ones ("Thrashing Souls"). The final result is not very appealing, with a muddy sound quality, raw, undeveloped guitar work, and gruff, death-ish vocals, which awkwardly change into cleaner ones to better suit those more melodic, gothic sections ("Welcome to My Destruction").

Promo 2000 Demo, 2000
Take Your Soul Demo, 2002
Thrasherized Full-length, 2004
Promo 2005 Demo, 2005
Italian Thrash Assault Demo, 2006

Official Site

GOTHIC SLAM (USA)

Fairly good, entertaining thrash of the more melodic, uplifting type. The leads are quite good, and most of the time the pace is energetic, without being too fast, resembling Metallica's debut on the faster moments, and early Megadeth on the other ones. The debut allows some power metal elements to sneak through in the second half, whereas the follow-up is more aggressive, with a better guitar work.

Killer Instinct Full-Length, 1988
Just A Face In The Crowd Full-Length, 1989

Vibrations of Doom

GOTHICA (RUSSIA)

The band name is misleading, as the music has nothing to do with gothic, but is heads-down classic thrash, and quite well done at that. The tempo is energetic, but never too fast, and the guitar work is excellent, albeit not very sharp, but relying more on melody. The first half is thrash metal all over, with the riffs recalling even the mighty Kruiz at times. But the tracks in the second half, like the semi-ballad "Escape", or the album closer "Doroga na Berlin (The Way to Berlin)", which is actually a cover version of an old Russian military song from World War II, here turned into a cool thrash/crossover number, slow down and shift away from thrash a bit. There is also a half-min instrumental called "Ode to Van Halen" and believe it or not, the guitar wizardry displayed there is not miles away from Eddie Van Halen himself. The guys have by all means created thrash (pun intended), but could have put more effort into it.

Creating Thrash Full-Length, 2003

GRAABEIN (NORWAY)

The band's style throughout the EP's is mostly black metal of different varieties (at times recalling Marduk, at times-Khold), but on "Hell Is Here" one can hear some pounding thrashy riffs ala Barathrum or Celtic Frost. Certainly the black metal fans will find more to like here.

Simplicity of genocide ep, 2003
Kampklar ep, 2003
Hell is here ep, 2004
Black unholy thrash metal ep, 2005
Howl ep, 2006

Official Site

GRAFF SPEE (URUGUAY)

This is typical for the South American scene brutal, raw thrash/black/death metal (based on the debut) which is not miles away from the Brazilian counterparts: Sextrash, Sarcofago, Vulcano; but here the music is better, and has this surreal twisted character which at times recalls Morbid Angel, and despite the awful sound quality, some stylish parts could be distinguished. The demo is surprisingly much better both music and production-wise, but the band's sound has completely moved into the death metal realm by then.

Reincarnation Full-length, 1989
Mother Fucker Demo, 1992

GRANDEUR ET DECADENCE (POLAND)

Based on the second demo, this is mostly black metal with touches of thrash in the guitar department, sounding like a lesser version of Enslaved. There are no too many fast, brutal sections, and the guys rely quite a lot on sprawling, slightly epic melodies, but with a more fuzzy, and undeveloped sound. There are some good ideas thrown in, but it needs a lot of work to put it in a really good shape.

Demo CD-R Demo, 2006
Demo Demo, 2007

My Space

GRAPHIC VIOLENCE (USA)

This is very good classic thrash which at times could be quite hard-hitting and intense (the opener "Evil") in the best tradition of Slayer, at times more laid-back, mixing power and thrash ("Future Daze") ala early Laaz Rockit, at times coming up with some clever technical guitars ("Solitude"). The headbanging, Slayer-esque numbers predominate, so not a fan would waste his time with this very obscure, but commendable release.

Graphic Violence Full-length, 1997

Official Site

GRAVEHILL (USA)

Based on the on the 2-song "Metal of Death" demo, this band offer a mix of black and thrash, quite energetic. The music is closer to thrash, but the singer is an evil black metal rasper.

Metal of Death EP, 2007
Metal of Death/Advocation of Murder and Suicide E.P. EP, 2008

My Space

GRENOUER (RUSSIA)

The band's first two efforts are quite good technical death metal with shades of Death and Pestilence, but with more aggressive guitar work. "The Order Of Folly" abandons the technical play for some more uplifting thrash/death'n roll not too far from Entombed or Hearse. "Presence Of War" switches onto war-like death metal ala Bolt Thrower and the sound is decidedly slower, almost epic at times. Their new album is modern, industrialized thrash/death not too far from Fear Factory or Scarve.

Border Of Misty Times full-length, 1996
Gravehead full-length, 1999
The Odour O' Folly full-length, 2001
Presence With War full-length, 2004
Try ep, 2006
Lifelong days full-length, 2007

My Space

GRIEF OF WAR (JAPAN)

A smashing debut of great, fast-paced old school thrash, which will make you headbang for days. It's not all out speed all the time, although the first two tracks will sweep you away with their fast, sharp riffs. "Sown by Hatred" introduces some slower, heavy riffs with an Oriental touch, and is a cool break, because after that the assault continues with full force, with another couple of brilliant thrashers until "Eternal Curse", which is more power metal-based, and more melodic, but delivers the goods, with its slightly epic atmosphere. The other three remaining tracks show no mercy, returning to the heads-down intense thrashing. This album is a very nice companion piece to Ritual Carnage same year's "I Infidel", and is almost as good. Hopefully these guys are still active- it would be unforgivable to give up after such a great first effort.

A Mounting Crisis... As Their Fury Got Released Full-length, 2005

My Space

GRIM FORCE (JAPAN)

This band again has something in common with the thrash metal greats Ritual carnage, in this case the guitarist (who also sings here) Katsuyuki Nakabayashi. His side band offer quite good thrash of the old school, obviously influenced by the Bay-Area scene. "Lunatic" is a truly impressive intense opener, with heavy, energetic riffs, and not very pleasant hardcore vocals. "God Cries! World Dies!" will catch you unprepared, with its furious, aggressive delivery: a mighty headbanger, which thrashes with no mercy for about 3-min. "World Of Chaos" is a slightly different story, being slower, but quite heavy. "The Sin Of The Blaackest Dye" is another fine slab of more aggressive thrashing, followed by similarly styled tracks, until the last one: "Struggle", which is a nice technical piece in the vein of late 80's Metallica, still full with energy, finished with a very stylish slower, doomy ending. This is a sure-handed debut of very well executed Bay-Area thrash, which will have to wait (I hope not for long) until Nakabayashi finds some more time outside his main band, to see its follow-up.

Circulation To Conclusion Full-Length, 2000

My Space

GRINDER (GERMANY)

One of the less known German speed/thrash metal bands. "Dawn For The Living" is a smashing debut in the vein of Iron Angel and Paradox; great speedy music, featuring some of the finest thrashers around: the fast, smashing "Obsession", the pounding, heavy "Dawn For The Living", the speed metal delight with an early Helloween shade "Magician". "Frozen Hatred" offers a heavier, more technical approach, but is the only one of its kind, among the nice speed/thrashing pieces. The album ends with the lightning-speed killer "Traitor" and the cool crossover speedster "F.O.A.D.".
"Dead End" is another impressive offering, but the heavier, more technical song-writing, which was only slightly hinted at on the debut, now has taken the upper hand, and as a result this album sounds quite close to Flotsam & Jetsam's "No Place For Disgrace". Some speed has been sacrificed, which could be considered a drawback to some extent. After the first longer and more complex tracks, the music becomes a bit more dynamic and enjoyable, and tracks like "The Blade Is Back" and "Just Another Scar" bring back the sound from the debut, but with heavier guitar work. The longer songs return in the second half, this time including one good semi-ballad: "Why?" (I don't know- pun intended). "Train Raid" is a light-hearted speedy punk-ish number, contrasting on the crushing thrashing closer "Unlock The Morgue": a really intense piece, graced by a very good bass bottom.
"Nothing Is Sacred" is the band's most melodic effort, which actually moves back towards the fast patterns from the debut, but the guitars are less edgy, although songs like "The Spirit of Violence" and "Nothing Is Sacred" thrash with full force. After them the sound slows down for a while, but the songs become more catchy: the nice power metal number "None Of The Birghter Days", which has a very catchy chorus. The modern groovy "Pavement Tango" could have been left out, as well as the jolly crossover "The Nothing Song".

Dawn For The Living Full-Length, 1988
Dead End Full-Length, 1989
The 1st EP EP, 1990
Nothing Is Sacred Full-Length, 1991

GRIP INC. (USA)

Grip Inc were formed by Dave Lombardo and Waldemar Sorychta, and quickly rose to the upper echelons of the 90's thrash metal movement. Style-wise the music sounds neither like Despair nor Slayer, taking a clearly modern approach, but with a considerable atmospheric/technical twist- a style perfectly displayed on the band's first two efforts, especially on the incredible "Nemesis": one of the finest thrash metal works of the 90's. "Solidify" saw the band flirting with the modern groovy sound, and was a letdown. After a long, 5-year break the band were back with another strong release, hopefully not the last one, having in mind that their singer had a one-album spell with the Germans Squealer, and Lombardo is busy working again with his old colleagues from Slayer.

The power of inner strength full-length, 1995
Nemesis full-length, 1997
Solidify full-length, 1999
Incorporated full-length, 2004

Official Site

GROM O'TORIC (GERMANY)

Old school speed/thrash metal in the vein of early Overkill and early Metallica. The musicianship is below par, and the modern elements "inserted" do not work well combined with the other music.

No Change Without Revolution Demo, 2004

GROPE (DENMARK)

This band were formed by two members of the one-album wonder Pixie Killers. However, if you expect some bombasting classic thrash, look elsewhere because this new formation is pure modern groovy thrash metal very close to Pantera and the likes; not bad, but pretty generic. Their later works move towards stoner doom.

Primates full-length, 1994
Soul pieces ep, 1995
The fury full-length, 1996
Desert storm full-length, 1997
Intercooler full-length, 1999
If you were my dog full-length, 2002

GROSS MISCONDUCT (CANADA)

Another great newcomer from the technical metal scene in Canada. The band's style recalls late period Death and the Polish Sceptic, but is more aggressive and more thrashy, with frequent adherence to blast beats where shades of Suffocation could clearly be heard, and by no means less technical. Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.) is an obvious influence on the guitarists, so expect some great leads and mighty technical riffage; by far one of the finest debuts of 2007.

The Process of Indoctrination Full-length, 2007

Official Site

GROUND CONTROL (ITALY)

Thrashy power metal sounding like less classy Eidolon or the Germans Mystic Prophecy. Some classic heavy metal tunes are involved, too. An interesting slower version of Anthrax's "Metal Thrashing Mad" finishes this not really impressive release.

Insanity full-length, 2006

Official Site

GROUND INCH (GERMANY)

Typical modern thrash metal very close to the more recent Machine Head works with soulful, blue-sy moments ("Black Universe" from the second demo).

Ground inch demo, 2002
Come get some demo, 2003

Official Site

GROUND ZERO (JAPAN)

A standout band whose style is close to Destruction and Hydra Vein, with some stupendous technical passages and a few great melodic lines. "Gate Of Death" is a really impressive debut, with a heavier and tighter sound, compared to the more speed metal-based EP. The vocals are a bit rough for the style, mixing hardcore and semi-death metal tones. The music is energetic, and occasionally quite speedy (the excellent aggressive "Gate Of Death"). "Strange Shadow" is another highlight, with its fast, but technical riffs. "Suicide" brings forward more melody, reminding of the more catchy style of the EP. With a couple of more albums of that calibre Ground Zero could have been one of the stars of the show worldwide, but they never recorded again.

Etherealize EP, 1986
Gate Of Death Full-Length, 1987

Vibrations of Doom

GROUND ZERO SYSTEM (NORWAY)

The industrial/thrash/death mixtures are getting more and more fashionable in Norway, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they overtake the black metal scene some day. Based on "Molotov", this band play industrial thrash/death, which lacks the energy and originality of acts like Fear Factory or Meshuggah, and some dance sections ala KMFDM will make quite a few of you frown ("DEKAYNY"), especially when you hear the very melodic vocals there. "Hasten the End of Days" reminds of the excellent Nefilim's "Zoon", but the rest is just a more aggressive version the German industrial practitioners Ooomph, or later period Misery Loves Co. from Sweden.

Newropa EP, 2006
Molotov Full-length, 2008

Official Site

GUARDIAN (POLAND)

The band's first two demos present them with furious black/thrash/proto-death, quite fast and intense, but the musicianship is not on a very high level, and is similar to the one on Necrodeath's "Into the Macabre", but the music of the Poles is faster and more vicious. The second demo actually shows the guys pulling themselves together, and there are some more stylish guitars to be heard, but the aggression reaches the extremes: songs like "Okrutna Rzej" are pure death metal rage, brutal as hell (this song seems to be a remake of a song from the first demo, although the original is 6-min, whereas the remake is half as long, and is ten times as brutal). The vocals are very scary and brutal black metal shrieks. This is easily one of the most intense recordings released in Europe in the late 80's; has to be heard to be believed.

Guardian Demo, 1988
Resurrection on Beastliness Mental Demo, 1989
Mind Of Darkness Demo, 1991

GUERILLA (GERMANY)

Modern death/thrash metal, quite well played, with interesting riffs and solo work. "Red Moon Rising" from "On Target" is an 8-min masterpiece which will put many progressive metal bands to shame. Although highlights like that are not too many, these guys easily stick out of the pack. The music on "No Inch Back" is more aggressive and simplistic, but is closer to thrash, and the vocals take a more unpleasant tone, mixing hardcore with death metal vocals, with the rare addition of some semi-clean ones ("Greed").

Breed us, feed us, weed us! Ep, 1998
On target full-length, 2001
No inch back full-length, 2004

Official Site

GUILLOTINE (BRAZIL)

A nice debut of classic aggressive thrash similar to late 80's Kreator and the Swedes Hypnosia. This band slow down at times for some heavier, but by no means less impressive songs. "Soul of Heavy Metal" might shock you in the beginning sounding like a heavy metal hymn ala Accept or Judas Priest, but then a wall of fury rises and it turns into another mighty thrasher. On the other hand, "Sodomized in Hell" introduces some more intense, death-ish elements into the sound. Watch out for the hidden track which is combined with the last one: a very faithful, and a good version of Death's "Defensive Personality".

Metal in the Vein Full-length, 2007

My Space

GUILLOTINE (SWEDEN)

This band is a side project for two members from the power metallers Nocturnal Rites, who wanted to give a way to their "darker", more aggressive side. This is well done old school German thrash in the Kreator tradition, with a touch of the early German speed metal scene (Heloween, Vectom, Warrant); fast, aggressive riffs attack you from beginning to end. There is no much variety, and all the songs tend to merge into one another, but the sheer intensity of the material will surely keep you entertained.

Under the guillotine full-length, 1997

GUILLOTINE (USA, Los Angeles, CA)

A below average thrash/crossover band who actually sound more hardcore than thrash most of the time, and with the throw of some punk-ish elements here and there the thrash metal fan knows that he should stay away from this.

Bring Down The Curtain Full-Length, 1989

Vibrations of Doom

GUILLOTINE (USA, Manassass, Virginia )

Interesting stuff, mixing old school power and thrash metal with black-ish vocals. There are some folk melodies here present as well. Surprisingly this mix works very well, and it would be interesting to see how far these guys can reach.

Off With Their Heads EP, 2005

Official Site

GUILTHEE (HUNGARY)

This band play groovy thrash, without any surprises, mid-paced, with some death metal vocals coming through, apparently to help the not very convincing hardcore-ish ones. Despite the predictable nature of the music at display here, some intriguing guitar work can still be caught ("The Ghost of Denying").

The Ghost Of Denying Demo, 2007
The Three Knot Lane Demo, 2007

Official Site

GURD (SWITZERLAND)

This band was formed by V.O. Pulver- one of the legends of Swiss thrash metal having taken part in many of the big names on the scene: Messiah, Poltergeist, Carrion. With the coming of the modern trends in metal in the 90's, he decided to follow them closely, and the band's style is prototypical modern groovy thrash akin to Pantera and Machine Head.

Addicted full-length, 1995
Urd full-length, 1995
D-fect full-length, 1996
D-fect the remixes full-length, 1997
Down the drain full-length, 1998
Bedlam full-length, 2000
Encounter full-length, 2003
Bang ! Full-length, 2006

Official Site

GUST OF ANGER (LATVIA)

Groovy thrash simlar to Pantera with shouted, hardcore-ish vocals.

Natural Hostility Full-length, 2002

GUTLOCK (GERMANY)

A bit uneven mixture of fast, furious thrash/death of the modern type, and some heavy groovy riffage. In other words this band bring you all the modern trends in metal; not that it's very bad: it's just that the guys are way better thrashing without any gimmicks ("Falling"), but the rest is a mish-mash of speedy guitars, stomping groovy sections, melodic gothic passages, and some clean vocals, as opposed to the main death metal shouts.

In Conclusion The Abstinence Full-length, 2005
Demo EP Demo, 2007

Official Site

GUTTED (USA)

This band feature three brothers and apart from that a very cool, heavy fusion of thrash and death metal with some nice crunchy riffs.

Bleed For Us To Live Full-Length, 1994
Gutted Full-Length, 1997

GWAR (USA)

This band have made quite a name for themselves mainly because of their outrageous live performances where the guys do all kinds of "atrocities" dressed in their "out of this earth" costumes. The music has always been secondary when talking about Gwar and indeed, it doesn't give many reasons to be discussed too much; it is simplistic, mid-paced thrash akin to Carnivore, spiced up with hardcore and punk, plus the use of instruments like accordions, flutes, violins, etc. The musicianship is not very high, but on the last three albums some big change must have taken place: the guitar work is much tighter and aggressive, the sound is decidedly thrashy (something which one couldn't say about much of their older material), and there are some really ambitious songs. Apparently the guys have decided to show to the world that music is what they are meant to do in the first place.

Hell-O Full-Length, 1988
Scumdogs Of The Universe Full-Length, 1990
America Must Be Destroyed Full-Length, 1992
This Toilet Earth Full-Length, 1994
The Road Behind Ep, 1994
Ragnarök Full-Length, 1995
Carnival Of Chaos Full-Length, 1997
We Kill Everything Full-Length, 1999
Violence Has Arrived Full-Length, 2001
War Party Full-Length, 2004
Beyond Hell Full-Length, 2006

Official Site

GWRANDO (SPAIN)

Interesting dark, gothic thrash with orchestral decorations; the music delivers the goods an all counts, and is quite a stylish blend of hard-hitting faster riffs, and slower, atmospheric ones. The main vocals, which are not very convincing, gruff ones, are ably supported by a pleiad of backing ones, which spring up all the time out of nowhere, and create a lot of dramatism. Tracks like "Fallen Angel" are mighty more straight thrashers, whereas other like "Extreme Aggression" (which doesn't really deserve its title), are more on the atmopsheric, more diverse side. "Silver Wings" is a great ballad, with nice leads, which are otherwise pretty ordinary on the rest of the material; this ballad, despite its undeniable qualities, influences the following compositions which never capture the intensity of the preceding ones. "Warlike Lord Of Pagan Land" remains in the melodic confines, being a cool quiet atmospheric instrumental. With "On A River Of Blood" the album returns greatly to more aggressive territories, and later on "Doubts" offers a really compelling mix of crushing riffs and epic-tinged melodies. The closer "Adage" is a fine, stylish melodic instrumental, with a marvellous acoustic guitar.

Gwrando Full-Length, 2008

GXSXD (JAPAN)

Late 80's Slayer (their heavier and slower period) meets death metal. The vocals are strictly in the death metal camp, but the music, with a few exceptions, is thrash: mid-paced and heavy with the occasional blast beat.

God Send Death Full-Length, 2006

Official Site


copyright (c) 2007 the thrash metal guide