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 L.S.N. (USA)
This band features George Robb- the bass player who later took part in other more renowned acts, like Agent Steel and Detente, and more recently has formed another band: Obscene Gesture, along with his other colleagues from Agent Steel. This early formation offers typical energetic power/speed/thrash in the vein of quite a few bands from the American 80's scene: Agent Steel, Blessed Death, Whiplash (the vicious vocals will also lead you in this band's direction), etc. This is very good speedy music, but is only 3 songs (the 4th track ("Trapped") is a 7-sec brutal joke), and the members scattering all over the metal spectre shortly after that, prevented the band from recording anything else.
Fall to the Reich! Demo, 1986 My Space LÄÄZ ROCKIT (USA)
This highly respected band began as one of the many power metal acts which the US music scene was producing in heaps in the mid 80's. With "Know Your Enemy" the band made their claims to become one of the new thrash heroes although the sound on this one is still pretty much power metal, with a few thrash headbangers thrown in for good measure. "Last Breath" is a truly impressive opener: a great power/thrasher, which remains the finest song on this one. Later on the band exercise their abilities in playing speed metal, and do a fine job, until the last couple of tracks, where the sound is a direct take on their heavy/power metal beginnings, and leaves a certain aftertaste.
City's Gonna Burn Full-length, 1984 My Space LACK THERE OF (USA)
A mix of modern thrash and death metal with some nice guitar work. There is some groove involved, too, but the final result is not bad at all; this is heavy music with some brutal death metal attacks and frequent change of tempos, with two vocal styles used simultaneously: one-a deep death metal growl, the other: a black-ish rasp.
Fault Of The Flesh Full-length, 2005 My Space LACOLPER (SWEDEN)
Based on the second demo, this is a really unconventional stuff: technical/progressive death metal recalling Cynic, but Lacolper's music is heavier and less jazzy. The music is actually quite compelling if you manage to tolerate the slightly irritating lead guitar which is put too much in the front and is kind of scream-y, but this is a minor flaw. The music is never fast, and the rending death shouts might stretch your nerves a bit, but those of you who enjoy the less ordinary side of metal, will definitely dig the mechanical dreamy "Aeonic War Machine", or the industrial cyber instrumental "Metroid - Lower Brinstar Area". Maybe their full-length would be the next big splash on the scene?
Day Of Deliverance Demo, 2005 My Space LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR (USA)
This band provide us with an interesting mixture of two contrasting styles: doom and thrash, and especially on their last album they do a marvellous job. Slow, stomping parts shake hands with some more up-tempo thrashy moments. The thrash metal presented here is not of the aggressive, fast type- think Celtic Frost or early Bathory's more quiet moments.
Carnage Full-length, 2004 My Space LAKRAU (PORTUGAL)
A 3-song promo of excellent aggressive thrash metal with a sound firmly rooted in the 80's, recalling Sepultura's "Beneath The Remains".
Promo Demo, 1993 My Space LAMB OD GOD (USA)
One of the most celebrated bands from the USA for the past few years, Lamb Of God offer a mixture of thrash and death metal of the modern type as both Pantera and The Haunted could be cited as an influence. There's no need to go into needless details about a band whom everyone out there knows quite well; one of the leaders of the contemporary metal scene.
New American Gospel Full-length, 2000 Official Site LANDMINE MARATHON (USA)
This is very brutal thrash/death which in terms of aggression could easily rival Hellwitch, but the guitars are not very technical, and the songs are quite short, some of them barely going over 2-min. Pieces like "White Widows" are pure death/grind-core, but there are moments where the guys (and a girl) slow down in a manner similar to the steam roller sound of recent Bolt Thrower: "Muscles Crown". This is very fast and brutal music, and might startle the more traditionally inclined thrash metal fans. The girl is the singer, and her voice is very harsh and shrieky, more along the lines of a more vicious version of Dawn Crosby (R.I.P.-Detente, Fear Of God), rather than the manly growls of Sabine Classen and Angela Kossoff.
Wounded Full-length, 2006 My Space LAPIDE (BRAZIL)
This band's line-up includes Eduardo Martinez- the bass player who was also a part of Panic and Leviaethan. His new band does a good job, by all means better than Panic, but not as impressive as Leviaethan. This is intense thrash, which sounds close to mid-period Sepultura and Exhorder, rather than any of the two aforementioned acts. The guys mix more aggressive, up-tempo tracks ("The Life After Death") with heavy stomping ones ("The Wizard's Vision", the groovy closer "Faces"). The faster number predominate, and some are really good headbanging riff-fests: "Domain", "Slavery", and especially the crushing Slayer-esque "Terrorism".
Infinite Life After Death Full-length, 2003
LAPSUS (ITALY)
The band's first demo is very good classic thrash with nice clean vocals and cool guitar work, with a slight folk/pagan-flavour. Later their sound becomes heavier and acquires some modern elements (groove, etc.), and loses its appeal a bit.
Ouverture Demo, 2003 Official Site LASH (ITALY)
An interesting cross between modern and classic thrash, sounding a bit like 90's Forbidden; the guys definitely have interesting ideas which would possibly develop further on a full-length release.
Insane Fiction EP, 2005 Official Site LAST BREATH (CANADA)
One of the undisputable gems of the Canadian metal scene of the 90's; great technical/progressive thrash in the Anacrusis-vein (think "Manic Impressions", "Screams & Whispers"); highly recommended. The songs are pure gems, all sounding different from each other, and memorable. So we have quite a variety here: heavy, haunting, slower tracks: "My Rebellion", magnificent speedy technical numbers: "The Answer", brilliant heavy, stomping ones: "Frozen Memories", or a combination of everything: the album highlight "Messenger of Death". The guitar and bass work are simply amazing; seldom can one hear such great interplay between bass and guitars. The singer is a find, with his dexterity to handle both the gruff, sinister and the nice, clean vocals in a truly impressive way. Canada is famous for its classy technical metal bands, but this band are probably one of the poineers in the field there, and by far one of the finest to grace it worldwide.
Ashes to Ashes Full-length, 1994 LAST DESCENDANTS (USA)
Complex, technical, but fairly effective thrash. Sometimes the arrangements on the longer tracks are a bit difficult to follow, but the musicianship on display is of a fairly high level, especially the solo work; will appeal to fans of Helstar, Liege Lord, Heathen. The pace nicely varies, from some elaborate, heavy numbers, which are the longer ones (the opener "Not My World"), to some really impressive exercises on speed/thrash (the brilliant "Traitor's Fate"). The middle song, on the other hand, belongs to neither of the aforementioned classifications, being a straight power metal number: "POW 13", quite energetic and enjoyable.
One Nation Under God Full-length, 1988 Vibrations of Doom LAST REMAINS (USA)
The first demo is melodic power metal with some slight technical tendencies, with no relations to thrash whatsoever. "Grasp For Existance" hardens the course, and although the sound is not ultra heavy, it contains enough sharp, thrashy guitars to keep it floating. The music is much more technical than on the first effort, moving towards progressive power/thrash quite a bit; the tempos change all the time, alternating between meaty, heavy moments and complex, twisted ones recalling even the Belgians Target. The lead guitar gives its fair contribution to make this work even more interesting. Although at times the music might come as too complicated for the regular thrash metal fan, and the power metal elements may dominate here and there, the good technical music displayed here will definitely win many in the end.
Demo Demo, 1991 LAST RITE (USA)
Classy power/thrash metal made by the same guys who later were responsible for one of the finest classic thrash releases of the 90's: Havoc Mass' "Killing the Future", here also assisted by two future members of Chris Barnes' Six Feet Under. The music here is more melodic than the one on "Killing The Future", but is by no means less impressive; this is great stuff along the lines of early Helstar, Deadly Blessing, Liege Lord. The demo is divided into shorter, faster tracks (3) and longer, more technical ones (2). Both types work fine, but the longer songs offer more musicianship, as a special place has been given to the excellent leads. The singer is a find, with his very powerful clean, a bit high-pitched voice, sounding like a mix between Ski (Deadly Blessing) and Michael Olivieri (Leather Wolf).
The Beginning of the End Demo, 1990
LAST RITES (GERMANY)
Last Rites play competent, if very typical for its time modern thrash. There are some attempts at more technical play on the full-length, but not enough to make it really stand out. The pace is quite good, though, and the guitar work is frequently energetic, reminiscent of Cyclone Temple and Xentirx. The EP, despite only containing 5 songs, is a fair slab of good headbanging thrash, which sounds more classic than the full-length, and is overall better. It starts with the heavy, semi-complex "Bleed", where the predominant riffs are from the 90's, but then the thrashing begins with the excellent "Backwards Reality", and goes on until the end, with a fine string of 4 awesome headbanging pieces.
Silverball Full-length, 1995 LAST RITES (ITALY)
Based on "Mind Prison", these Italians come up with an interesting blend of classic 80's thrash metal in the Metallica, Exodus-tradition, and death metal. It works quite well, and it nicely stays closer to thrash, with the more intense death metal parts helping the album to sound even better.
Mind Prison Full-length, 2003 Official Site LAST RITES (USA)
Members of Bloodlust decide to form another band, and play some better music. The sound here is more aggressive, more technical, and the musicianship is definitely on a higher level. The songs are quite interesting, with several tempo changes (quite fast at times) and nice technical guitars. This great demo will remind you of some of the early technical acts on the American thrash metalscene: Have Mercy, Ulysses Siren, but with a more aggressive delivery.
Don't be Denied Demo, 1990 LASTWAR (POLAND)
Cool aggressive thrash metal in the vein of Slayer and the Brazilians Atomica (the similarities with this band are also in the vocal department). The production of both demos is very good, and could have easily secured these guys a several album-deal if having been released a few years earlier.
Skazani Na Zaglade Demo, 1990 LATRODECTUS (GERMANY)
Based on "Storm In Mind", this is dark, doom-y thrash with a certain gothic shade. If you can imagine a more thrashy version of the Swedes Katatonia, but without the melancholic guitar tone of the latter, you would probably have a fairly good idea how these guys sound. There is also a ballad ("Down"), and a rock-ish joke song ("For Soulitary").
...In Unisono... Full-length, 1999 Official Site LATVALA BROS (FINLAND)
This band is a kind of a continuation of the migthy Stone; it was formed by the latter's guitarist Roope Latvala. This is an instrumental album which is much better than the disappointing last Stone album, but on the other hand it doesn't contain many heavy, meaty riffs which were the band's trade mark on the earlier releases. The sound is melodic, but technical thrash with great riffs and solos. The tempo is calm, mid-paced with some variations both in the slower and faster spectre; a really worthwhile album.
Latvala Bros Plays Wooden Eye Full-length, 1994 My Space LATZEN (SPAIN)
One of the finest Spanish thrash metal bands of the 90's. Fans of Paradox, Angel Dust and even early Helloween- beware! The guys play with conviction and force, with sharp riffs, producing some nice speedy killers ("Ze Ingo Xu?", the furious aggressor "Mezua Hil Aurretik", the brilliant up-tempo instrumental "Indarra"), but the slower heavy numbers are also quite good ("Torturaren Artea", which is graced by a fine Oriental tune; "Mamuak Baztertu"). "Laztana" is a good heavy ballad, where the melodic, clean vocals display their talents best.
Kontzientzia ala Infernua Full-length, 1997 My Space LAUGHING DEAD (USA)
This band was founded by members of Heathen and Defiance. Based on the 3-track demo, this is cool, up-tempo thrash similar to 80's Metallica, or Defiance, but with shorter songs, and more simplistic, but very catchy and headbanging riffs. All the songs are in the same energetic pace; "Mad Man Clash" introduces some more technical guitars, but there's no room for this to develop further.
Demo 1990 Demo, 1990 LAVATORY (GERMANY)
Based on the first two albums: a very good thrash/crossover band who sound like a mixture of D.R.I. and Tankard. This is great music, fast and intense, with a very catchy, playful character, but coming with sharp meaty riffs. It thrashes hard, sounding closer to Tankard, rather than D.R.I. on a bigger number of the songs, but it has its light crossover spirit ("Manipulations"), as well as the more aggressive, Slayer-esque moments ("Lies").
GLAsshouse Fools Full-length, 1989 LAWNMOWER DETH (UK)
A very good crossover/thrash band, gifted with a huge doze of humour. The music varies from very hard-hitting thrash to some uplifting punk, to some other elements which are hard to pin down. There are loads of original ideas here, like the choice to make a cover version of Kim Wilde's hit "Kids In America" (which is excellent, by the way, with some nice speedy riffs). A very enjoyable band whose non-standard approach to song-writing will keep the listener enormously entertained.
Ooh Crikey! It's Lawnmower Deth! Full-length, 1990 My Space LAWSHED (JAPAN)
The band's debut is excellent thrash in the early Testament-vein. It starts thrashing from the very beginning, with the fast "Go It Blind", which is the shortest and the most immediate number on the album. Later on the songs become longer and more technical; there is no much speed anymore, and the tracks are sometimes jumpy and choppy ("Faces"), sometimes even with a shade of power metal ("Dumb Millions"), sometimes with a more modern, groovy sound ("Lowbrow"), but always enjoyable.
Let Us Not Talk Falsely Full-length, 1991 LAZARUS (USA)
First rate classic thrash, with an "updated" modern production, close to the works of Exodus from the new millennium, the last Onslaught album and especially Nasty Savage's "Psycho, Psycho" in the heavier parts, as well as in the vocal department. Some more melodic, power metal guitar lines could be caught ("Last Breath"), as well as the majority of the leads (which are great, by the way, with a Shrapnel flavour), but they offer a nice deviation from the otherwise hard-hitting pattern. This is a major headbanging stuff, although the band never speed too much, with the sole exception of a few blast beats on "Forged in Blood"; a really impressive debut which will definitely grace quite a few top tens for 2007.
The Onslaught Full-length, 2007 My Space LEATHER CHARM (TURKEY)
Based on the "The Midnight Comedy" demo: this band offer a diverse mix of classic thrash (the short intro "Killing Charm" and the intense headbanger at the end "To Oppose"), the groovy modern 90's sound ("Razor Of God"), and one very tender acoustic ballad ("Emerald").
The Midnight Comedy Demo, 2007 My Space LED ASTRAY (HOLLAND)
This is first rate technical thrash/death metal. The singer uses a very deep death metal growl, but the music is top-notch sounding like a cross between later period Death and the Swedes Agretator (and also their more famous continuation Darkane). At times the band adhere to more brutal playing ala Suffocation ("Exceed The Feeling Of Nothing"), but these moments are not that frequent. Traditionally Holland has always been a hot place for technical metal acts, and Led Astray seem perfectly acceptable to lead the scene through the new millennium.
Denying the inevitable Demo, 2005 My Space LEEWAY (USA)
This is the only Leeway album which is of interest to the thrash metal fans. The band play heads-down classic thrash here, with very few crossover/hardcore elements. The singer has a very clean style, which distinguishes Leeway from the pack of shouted hardcore vocals typical for the NYHC (New York Hard Core) scene, where the band come from. The opener "Rise and Fall" comes with a great energetic pace, which remains for the rest of the time. Shades of crossover spring up, of course, in the form of some shorter tracks near the end ("Marathon", "Self-defense"), and a really cool moment is the smashing galloping speed/thrasher in the Attacker, Helstar vein "Tools of War", which at some stage goes straight for the throat, with direct headbanging riffs for a while- a great number! This is a very good album, compared to their later ventures which were flirting with many different styles away from the thrash metal spectre.
Born to Expire Full-length, 1987 My Space LEGEN BELTZA (SPAIN)
Along with Killem and Angelus Apatrida , Legen Beltza put Spanish thrash metal back on the metal map with a full force. The debut is not bad, but the thin production chokes the guitar work considerably. It offers mid to up-tempo thrash of the more melodic type, with ballads and power/speed metal numbers present, sounding very close to some Argentinian acts- Hermetica, Horcas. A mixed bag as a whole, showing the band not certain which path to follow.
Istorio Triste Bat Full-length, 2001 My Space LEGION (SPAIN)
Often viewed as the finest Spanish thrash metal band, Legion enjoyed a short, but impressive career. Their first two works are fine pieces of semi-technical thrash close to the Germans Accuser, touching even Toxik's "World Circus" on the faster, and better material (mostly the debut), including a funny cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You". The guys had the penchant for inserting some jolly, punk-ish joke songs ("Mili KK" from the debut), but this was a popular trend among the thrash metal bands from those times. "Labyrinth Of Problems" is a bit more melodic, with a slightly modernized sound, but is another commendable release.
Lethal Liberty Full-length, 1989 Vibrations of Doom LEGION (USA)
A very good demo of speed/thrash metal which surprisingly sounds very close to early Destruction, especially in the guitar department. The music is fast with good semi-technical, and very catchy riffs, and slightly undeveloped, hardcore-ish vocals which at times try to scream the way Tom Araya used to do it in the beginning (remember "Black Magic"). The bad sound quality can not conceal the fact that these guys definitely possessed the necessary talent to compete with the biggest names on the scene, if fate had given them a chance.
Jump Into The Slampit Demo, 1985 LEGION OF DEATH (USA)
A fast, aggressive mixture of thrash metal and hardcore not too far from Wehrmacht, with some occasional slower numbers ala Celtic Frost ("Malicious Hatred").
Legion Of Death Full-length, 1988 LEGION OF THE DAMNED (HOLLAND)
This band is actually the black/thrash metal legends Occult who for some reason decided to change their name. The style is a direct follow-up to Occult's last album "Elegy For The Weak"- very good retro thrash metal mixing influences from many sides, but managing to sound convincing and even a bit original.
However, on the next one power metal was a distant memory, and "Annihilation Principle" still remains one of the finest achievements of the genre. "Fire In The Hole" thrashes uncompromisingly from the very beginning, leaving no room for any melodic deviations. "Chain Of Fools" is a mighty riff-fest, followed by the great galloping speed/thrasher "Shadow Company". "Holiday In Cambodia" is a marvellous cover of Dead Kennedys, and will definitely help you develop a liking towards the original, although there's hardly any shade of punk here. Later on every track is a masterpiece of razor sharp thrash, with marvellous guitar work: a headbanging feast at its finest. "The Omen" is a very well deserved break for the band from the intense thrashing: a nice ballad, with a very good vocal performance (Michael Coons is one of the greatest singers on the whole metal field).
Things continued in the same vein on "Nothing'$ $acred": another smashing thrashterpiece, showing no signs of slowing down or compromises with the thrashy sound. The album begins with intense up-tempo thrashing numbers, until it reaches the raging "Curiosity Kills"- a speed/thrash delight, but remains one of its kind on this effort. The next tracks take a slower, but quite hard-hitting turn, led by the excellent "The Enemy Within", laced with some fine technical hooks. "Nobody's Child" is the obligatory ballad (the guys include such songs in each of their works), this time shorter, but equally as cool. "Silence Is A Lie" tries to thrash in a faster manner once again, and admirably succeeds, giving way to the graceful closer: the marvellous instrumental "Necropolis", which boasts a magnificent lead guitar performance, which might make you listen to the preceding material again, just to check whether you will find traces of such guitar wizardry earlier (but no, and this is the mystery- why did the guy spared himself on most of the songs, but unleashing all his genius on just a single piece?!), and superb technical riffs.
Then the band split up, with some members later giving way to their infatuation with the 90's groovy sound, with their other band Gack, which has almost nothing to do music-wise with the band's past.
No Stranger To Danger Full-length, 1985
Know Your Enemy Full-length, 1987
Annihilation Principle Full-length, 1989
Nothing'$ $acred Full-length, 1991
Demo Demo, 2006
"War Metal Battle Master" is the band's most aggressive offering so far; the first two tracks show the guys at their thrashing best, with the opener "Horde of the Undead" coming with even some brutal death metal sections. The doomy side springs up, of course, with "When the Ice Giants Slayed All", but soon the band go back to the death/thrashy patterns ("Black Viper Barbarian Clan" is pure unadulterated death metal, mixed with a slower doomier ending). "Doomtrooper" is the other exercise in sheer doom: 10-min of classic, pounding doom in the Pentagram, Saint Vitus vein.
Cannibal Massacre EP, 2005
The Ultimate Destroyer Full-length, 2006
War Metal Battle Master Full-length, 2008
As The Palaces Burn Sampler EP, 2003
As The Palaces Burn Full-length, 2003
Pure American Metal EP, 2004
Ashes of the Wake Full-length, 2004
Killadelphia Sampler EP, 2005
Sacrament Full-length, 2006
Brani Non Registrati Demo, 2003
Destino Circolare Demo, 2005
New prologue Demo, 2006
Grasp For Existance Demo, 1992
Bleed EP, 1997
Hate EP, 2006
Darkness in Eden Demo, 1992
Storm In Mind Full-length, 2003
The second album is a letdown: it has not much to do with the brisk thrashy style of its predecessor. It's much more melodic, modern sounding and groovy, still containing some more intense thrashy moments ("Mila Esker", "Ohituren Menpe", "Nola Azaldu"), but they come with more retouched guitars, and groovy breaks. Another good semi-ballad comes near the end: "Gor".
Ardi Larruz Full-length, 1998
Walk On EP, 1996
To Protect And To Serve Full-length, 1992
Yes It Hurts Full-length, 1996
The Return Of The Fabulous Metal Bozo Clowns Full-length, 1992
Billy Full-length, 1993
"Spirits & Souls" has a heavier, thicker sound with a decidedly modern edge, and although is not as good as the debut, is not completely bad; there are still some faster thrashers included, but most of the time the music doesn't leave the mid-paced range, also featuring some heavy-handed attempts at more varied play: stoner doom borrowings, funky sections, overlong atmospheric moments, etc. The band disappeared soon after that.
Spirits & Souls Full-length, 1992
Creeping Death Demo, 2007
Garden of Evil EP, 2008
"Insanity" is a much better effort, providing awesome technical thrash, with all the previous influences swept away, leaving room for some great sharp riffs. Some more speed metal-based tracks are still around ("Insanity"), but they sound much more convincing than before. "Dying" is another non-thrashy number, being slower, with a shade of gothic. The rest is non-stop thrash fest, with some striking technical thrash pieces (Klaustrofobia", "Only Human").
"Dimension Of Pain" is somewhat disappointing, abandoning the short technical, aggressive song structures, going into the other direction with long, elaborate numbers bordering on progressive metal. Fortunately, several tracks of the old style are still present to save the day ("Cannibalistic Revolution, "Fucking Dawn of the Dead"). Some very awkward, heavy-handed attempts at mixing melodic heavy/power metal passages with brutal death metal-ish blast beats, make things even worse ("Calling the Black Storm", "When the Moon Falls"). Their ambition goes over the top with the two part "War Of Wars"- one 7.5, the other 9.5 min., which are an even bigger mish-mash. Apparently the guys have wanted to impress the fans with this wild mixture of many contrasting styles, but when sticking to a more simplistic musical approach, they have done a much, much better job.
Insanity Full-length, 2003
Dimension Of Pain Full-length, 2006
Por la Cara EP, 1990
Mind Training Full-length, 1990
Labyrinth of Problems Full-length, 1992