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 M.A.C.E. (BRAZIL)
A 4-track demo of excellent direct classic thrash/crossover- fast and sharp, with some really cool leads, and a great melodic edge on the guitars, which doesn't dull the riffage, but makes them sound even more compelling. Great stuff, such good thrashy crossover from Brazil hasn't been heard since the Ratos De Porao's early 90's works.
Apocalypse Now EP, 2006 My Space M.A.D. (CANADA)
Quite good classic thrash metal which will remind you of many bands from the 80's- Anthrax, Exodus, D.R.I.'s late period, etc. There is an attempt at more complex song-writing: some of the tracks are longer, with some nice technical hooks. The pace is varied, but mostly stays in the mid-tempo, except on the crossover joke "Special Olympics", and the intense headbanger "Hold Your Breath". The singer has a slightly indifferent, punk-ish tember, and the bass performance is really impressive.
Taboo of the Western World Full-length, 1991 M.A.S.A.K.R.E. (PERU)
Based on "En Pie de Guerra", this band offer a cross between classic Bay Area-influenced thrash and the groovy aggro style of Pantera. The sound resembles quite a lot the works of the Japanese band United who operate in the same area music-wise.
Sin Piedad Full-length, 1988 M.O.D. (USA)
Billy Milano formed this band after the demise of S.O.D. The style is a direct continuation of the wild hardcore/thrash/punk mixture of the other band.
U.S.A. For M.O.D. Full-length, 1987 My Space M.S.T. (FRANCE)
One of the bands who refused to follow the modern trend of mixing thrash and death metal which was so popular at the same time in France; this is excellent speed/thrash recalling the early efforts of ADX, and Killers. There is a certain shade of thrash/crossover at times ala the more thrashy Suicidal Tendencies' works ("How Will I Laugh...", "Lights...Camera...Revolution"). This is great music, fast and energetic, with a huge headbanging potential, and very cool vocals, quite close to Mike Muir.
P.U.C. Mini-LP, 1988 M.S.W. (USA)
Thrash/crossover recalling Carnivore, both vocal and music-wise; heavy and mid-paced, with repetitive riffs and some timid attempts at more interesting guitar lines which for some strange reason remind me of the Black Sabbath period with Ozzy ("Call to Arms / Nightmare War").
What's All This Then? Demo, 1987 M1-A1 (USA)
This demo offers a mixture or power and thrash ala Meliah Rage and Anvil. This is good stuff; the songs are mostly heavy, mid-tempo affairs with tight, melodic guitars. The singer has a very good mid-ranged clean voice.
Demo Demo, 1990
MABUS 666 (IRELAND)
The putting together of all extreme metal styles into one album has become so fashionable that if the trend goes on for another while, we'll be just talking about extreme metal in the near future, without any further classifications. Mabus 666 do exactly that, although the black metal-tag here is given due to the vocals which are high-pitched shrieks and at times can be quite annoying. But the music saves the day being hard-hitting thrash/death metal, which manages to sound original, and quite intense.
Profit Full-length, 2002 Official Site MACABRE (USA)
This is a highly enjoyable band (if you don't take their lyrics too seriously, of course, which center around the "careers" of some of the most notorious serial killers in human history) mixing very contrasting styles on their works: death, thrash, grind, hardcore, punk and even some jolly rock-ish numbers. This is far from a mish-mash; on the contrary: this is good fun with some cool thrashy riffs and a generally aggressive attitude.
Grim Reality EP, 1987 Official Site MACHIAVELLIAN REGRESSION (CANADA)
Crossover/thrash in the D.R.I. vein. The music sounds rougher and rawer than the one of their more renowned peers, but there is enough energy put in the recording, and some tracks are full-fledged intense thrashers: "Blue Beard", "Acid Rain", the less than 2-min explosion "Anormal System". There are some stylish touches thrown in as well: the great combination of aggression and playful crossover "Mal Léché", packed in a little more than a min. Occasionally do the guys add some pure hardcore to the proceedings ("Dumb Gang"), but most of the time they thrash with conviction and power.
Acid Rain Full-Length,1987 MACHINE (USA)
Quite good power/thrash metal similar to early Overkill, with nice lead guitar work and energetic, but not very fast tempos.
Demo Demo, 1989 MACHINE HEAD (USA)
"Burn My Eyes" is a landmark album of modern 90's thrash metal, often considered the best work of the whole period. The follow-up is much heavier, with a dark groovy sound, but almost as effective. And that was it. The next two albums almost threw the band away from the thrash metal field acquiring a much more melodic sound. "Through the Ashes of Empires" shows some attempts at a return to form, but it couldn't wash away the impression that the days of "Burn My Eyes" have been buried deep.
Burn My Eyes Full-length, 1994 Official Site MACHINE INSUFFICIENCY (CROATIA)
Based on the "Last Bridge Burning" demo, these guys come up with typical groovy thrash ala Pantera ("Nonconsistency"), plus more energetic mid-paced thrash with cool sharp riffs ("Deliverance").
Conceptional Immortality Demo, 2004 My Space MACHINEMADE GOD (GERMANY)
Typical modern death/thrash metal with some hardcore elements.
The Infinity Complex Full-length, 2006 Official Site MACHINERY (SWEDEN)
Machinery pull out some fine dark technical power/thrash not too far from Nevermore, or the French Kragens. The more technical parts recall another very good new technical act- Altered Aeon from Sweden. The music has a strong modern edge, and the guitars at times acquire a dry, mechanical sound, but are always sharp and hard. Like with the aforementioned bands, the music never gets too aggressive; the guys have the tendency to insert slower sections, where the harsh vocals take a more melodic edge, and deliver some cool choruses, again, in a way similar to Nevermore. It's not a bad approach, but it gets repeated on every song. The last three tracks are longer and more technical than the rest, and show the band in a more inspired form, managing to keep them interesting the whole time, with some really good riffage, except on the album closer "Satanic Hippie Cannibal", which, despite its horrifying title, is the most melodic number, being a heavy, semi-ballad.
Degeneration Full-length, 2006 Official Site MACHT (USA)
These are the guys from Wehrmacht who have shortened their name, and have started playing some nice technical thrash with quite a few interesting tempo changes, and not as frenetically fast as the guys' previous efforts. The music really packs a punch, with some really good guitar work, quite choppy and technical, but unfortunately it's only three actual songs: the last two are voices and noises put together- no music. This definitely could have served as a draft for something really cool, but the band disappeared without a trace after this release.
Vice Grip Demo, 1990 MACROCOSMIC EMOTIONS (SWEDEN)
This is a strange band (check out the album titles): the sound could only loosely be described as thrash metal; it is very abstract with monotonous dark wave-ish vocals and long sprawling songs in which the tempo doesn't change a lot. At times the guy doesn't really sing- he actually chants creating an almost black mass-atmosphere. "Robotic"/industrial/progressive thrash"- all these definitions could apply for this band, but one has to listen to it to get a good idea what goes on inside. One of the most avantgarde, and hardest to swallow, takes on thrash metal.
The Contemporaneous Explosive Atmosphere Full-length, 1995 Official Site MAD DRAGZTER (BRAZIL)
The band play an enjoyable mixture of modern and classic thrash, not too far from Annihilator around the same time. "Love Us Or Hate Us" from "Strong Mind" is not a Kreator cover.
Strong Mind Full-length, 2003 Official Site MAD EVIL (GERMANY)
Very good Kreator-influenced thrash metal, with the comparisons with their more renowned compatriots coming mostly from the vocals which are dead ringers for Mille Petrozza. The music bears resemblances to Kreator's more technical period "(Extreme Aggression", in particular), but is more varied, with some cool slower, atmospheric passages.
Violent World Demo, 1990 MAD MACHINE (JAPAN)
Brilliant power/thrash metal with great guitar performance which would make every Shrapnel guitar hero proud. The style is close to other Japanese bands like Volcano and Sex Machineguns (the first two albums), as well as the high-ranged vocals. "Get Over Time" is a slightly cheesy ballad, but the rest is top-notch razor sharp music (quite speedy at times, too) which would satisfy even the most skeptical fans. Hopefully these guys are still active, and are preparing something new.
Mad Machine EP, 2004 Official Site MAD POLTERGEIST (ITALY)
This is very energetic, but also amateurish thrash. Certainly the guys were just having fun recording this EP wihout any serious intentions to last long on the metal scene.
Mad'n'Damn EP, 1989 MAD SLAUGHTER (GERMANY)
Based on the demo: with no regards to the modern tendencies of the 90's, these guys offer quite good classic thrash. The music is not aggressive at all, and sometimes has shades of crossover, but is mostly mid-paced and semi-technical, resembling Accuser's late 80's, more technical period, but not as heavy, and in the faster sections one would feel some early Metallica-influence ("Little M.F."). The modern "updates" come in the form of the vocals, which have a certain hardcore-ish rasp, not far from Tommy Victor (Prong).
What We Know Demo, 1993 MAD V (RUSSIA)
An excellent debut recalling another very good Russian band- Shah, but Mad V are more technical than this band's early efforts, and more aggresive than Shah's last album, and are not afraid to experiment with some playful, semi-thrash melodies. The guitar work is particularly of high quality, featuring some great riffs and nice solos. The songs are mostly up-tempo with good memorable choruses.
War Is The Same Full-length, 2004 Official Site MADHOUSE (FRANCE)
The french answer to Suicidal Tendencies. Both albums follow closely the Suicidal's more thrashy efforts. The second one actually takes a funnier turn, with some rap and funky moments ala Infectious Grooves.
Razzle Dazzle Full-length, 1990 MADHOUSE (GERMANY)
This 4-track demo offers quite a few styles: "Tormentors" is vintage Slayer, fast and aggressive; "Shock" is a direct nod to early Helloween, a cool speed metal number; "Lose" is a pure classic heavy metal piece, taken straight from the works of Scorpions or Accept; "Slow Death" is a typical American power/thrasher with cool melodic leads ala Wolf Hoffman.
T.F.O. Demo, 1989 MADMAN MUNDT (USA)
Based on the self-titled debut, this is a very interesting take on thrash/crossover, with vocals similar to the ones used by Jello Biafra in Dead Kennedys and Lard. The music is the highlight here, though: never fast, mid-paced to slow, bordering on doom metal quite a few times featuring some nice off-beat, progressive guitar work which will remind you of Voivod. It's good to have bands like this one around who try to bring something fresh to the scene.
Madman Mundt Full-length, 2003 Official Site MAELSTROM (CANADA)
Based on the two demos, the band play 80's power metal mixed with thrash. The sound on "Fatal Forsight" is more simplistic, sounding like a more thrashy Omen. "Into The Maelstrom" is clearly an improvement with a better production, and some great guitar work.
Singing in the Rain/Waiting for my Woman Single, 1986 MAELSTROM (HUNGARY)
The members of the Hungarian doomsters Mood were thrashers before anything else. Well, as thrashers they haven't managed very well as this is Germanic thrash ala Destruction, but with a buzzy guitar sound, and a snarly, throaty singer who definitely makes an effort to stay put, and could have done a better job in the more black metal-based acts from the same country like Tormentor, or Fantom. At times the guys really come up with some intriguing riffs, and the tempo is quite energetic throughout, but the music scene knows much better works than this.
Maelstrom Demo, 1991 MAELSTROM (USA)
Excellent thrash reminiscent of Kreator's "Extreme Aggression" and Necrodeath's "Fragments of Insanity". This is quite fast and aggressive, but at the same technical, stuff with memorable songs differing from each other, and some genuine atmospheric passages, created either by the use of an acoustic guitar, or by heavy, stomping riffs-both ways work just great. The guys never settle for one rhythm, but change it frequently with some original ideas thrown in, the highlight being the marvellous "Childhunt", which after the numerous tunes throughout, at the end comes with pure blasting (but controlled) fury. The bass work is particularly impressive, carrying on its shoulders quite a bit. The vocals are along the lines of Mille Petrozza, but more vicious, with an even black metal-ish blend.
Demo Demo, 1989 MAFIA (RUSSIA)
Like many Russian thrash metal bands of the 90's, Mafia also disappeared after only one album; which is sad, because this is first class thrash metal, with no shades of 90's thrash whatsoever, recalling Shah, and especially early Master. This is mostly fast stuff, with good sharp guitars which acquire some fine technical edge quite a few times. Although the music is speedy, it's not aggressive and brutal, and the guitar hooks are catchy and memorable, making every song stick out. "Black rock-and-roll" is a nice try to insert some rock'n roll rhythm in an energetic thrash song structure. "In Prison" is another fine deviation, coming with some slower, stomping riffs and good leads.
Magical Call Full-length, 1994 MAGHAZI (GERMANY)
Modern thrash, but without too much groove, with some interesting touches, like the use of deep gothic vocals, for example, which surprisingly don't sound ridiculous, but work quite well, and are way better than the computerized ones which spring up here and there, and are utterly annoying. The tempo is quite energetic, and the guitars are quite heavy and semi-technical, and are similar to the ones on Rosicrucain's "Silence", or Geisha Goner's "Catching Broadness".
Define the Menace Full-length, 1996 MAGMA (USA)
A 4-track demo of technically-inclined classic thrash quite close to early Testament, with excellent Alex-Scholnik-like guitar work. "The Child" is an attempt at a more balladic song writing, and is the only unmitigated failure here, being quite soft, without an edge, missing the obligatory thrashy riffs added by Testament on similar tracks.
Demo Demo, 1992 MAGNUS (POLAND)
The band's debut mixes old-school death metal and thrash in an impressive way- highly recommended. "Alcoholic Suicide" abandons the death metal elements and acquires a jolly thrash-y, Motorhead-ish sound which still delivers the goods, but lacks the visceral power of the debut.
Scarlet Slaughter Best Of Compilation, 1992 Official Site MAGUS BEAST/AGRESSOR (USA)
When this album was released, the band were still called Agressor, changing their name later after finding out that already there was a band (from Brazil) who have chosen this name first. The style is a potent blend of power metal in the Omen and Attacker-vein, and a huge doze of thrash. The vocal performance is particularly strong: the singer has a powerful, clean, high voice. The guitars are sharp and heavy: check out the stomping intense thrashing opener "Magus Beast". The galloping power metal approach settles down, with the next "Death Before Dishonor", and the excellent speedy "In Vain"- a great song, with swirling guitars, kind of reminding me of Mercyful Fate (the song "Satan's Fall" from their "Melissa" album: the final part). "Devil's Advocate" is a slower, but very crushing piece, with very heavy guitars. "Born to Kill" is another fast-paced number, followed again by a heavier, pounding one ("Assault Attack"), more in the heavy/power metal mould. The closer "Nightfall" is a 10-min opus, which suddenly switches to more complex, progressive song-writing (it could be two songs put together, as the two parts are starkingly different from each other; the first one is heavy, dark and slower, whereas the second one is faster).
Say Your Prayers Full-length, 1996 Official Site MAHATMA (SOUTH KOREA)
Based on "Perseverance", this band play modern thrash, spiced with some brutal blast beat sections. The vocals are angry, semi-death metal-ish. There are a few moments, when the music loses its edge, and starts sounding pretty bland, like on the groovy "Having Hopes" and the slower, power metal-based "Stormrunner".
The Endless Struggle Against Time Full-length, 2005 Official Site MAIMED FOR LIFE (USA)
Chaotic and hectic thrash/crossover, but quite stylish and original, with shades of early Voivod in the guitar department. The riffs are not very heavy, but the tempos change all the time, and one can not help but jump around and have a good time listening to this.
Maimed for Life EP, 1985 MAITREYA (SWEDEN)
Thrash/death metal of the new generation, with nice melodic tunes, but not a stranger to some brutal blast beat moments. The main vocals are brutal, low-tuned, but expect some clean ones from time to time as well. The music ranges from slow, gothic-tinged numbers ("Grief"), to some long, progressive ones ala Opeth ("Leave This Place"), to pure energetic thrash/death with a touch of Dark Tranquillity ("Encircled").
Demoledor Full-length, 2000
En Pie de Guerra Full-length, 2004
On The Warpath Full-length, 2006
Surfin' M.O.D. Full-length, 1988
Gross Misconduct Full-length, 1989
Rhythm of Fear Full-length, 1992
Devolution Full-length, 1994
Dictated Aggression Full-length, 1996
Rebel You Love to Hate Full-length, 2003
Red, White, and Screwed Full-Length, 2007
The Mini-LP is pretty much the same energetic thrash/crossover, but more melodic and simplistic. The tracks follow nicely, being fast-paced, albeit a bit samey. The singer will remind you even more of Mike Muir here, as well as the music, which at times is very close to the Suicidals' "Join the Army".
Regeneration Full-Length, 1991
Shitlist EP, 1988
Gloom Full-length, 1989
Sinister Slaughter Full-length, 1993
Behind the Wall of Sleep EP, 1994
Unabomber EP, 1999
Dahmer Full-length, 2000
Morbid Campfire Songs EP, 2002
Murder Metal Full-length, 2003
"The Blackening" almost completely restores the faith in this band showing that it's too early to cross them off the list. With a more elaborate and technical song-writing, Machine Head display a side never seen before on their previous efforts. With long, progressively-structured songs and a mighty riff-fest from beginning to end, which would probably take time before the listener gets into it, this album is a major contender for the top ten of 2007.
Take My Scars EP, 1997
The More Things Change... Full-length, 1997
The Burning Red Full-length, 1999
Year of the Dragon EP, 2000
Supercharger Full-length, 2001
The Burning Red B-Sides EP, 2004
Through the Ashes of Empires Full-length, 2004
The Blackening Full-length, 2007
MA_IN 05 Demo, 2005
Confrontation With Reality (deathbreed) - Upgrade 06 Single, 2006
Last Bridge Burning Demo, 2006
"The Passing" is a nice, albeit a lesser, companion to the debut, which starts in a slow, balladic way with "Gold", but comes "Reason Is The Truth", and the thrashing begins. "I Divine" shows once again that this album will not be about aggression, and is slower, but heavy, with nice melodic lines, and semi-clean vocal performance, quite good, compared to the mechanic shouts heard on the rest of the album. "Dead Man" follows in the same way, and here the vocals are purely clean and melodic, and here is where the listener will start frowning, simply because the music is edgeless and balladic once again. Very soon, however, he will have to adjust his senses, with the crushing "Delirium In Vengeance": a fast and merciless headbanger, spiced with vicious, black-ish vocals. But this is more like an "oasis", because afterwards two more mellow tracks come, before "The Passing" introduces some more complex, progressive structures and harder riffs, all this nicely continued on the softer, but quite cool power/thrashing closer "Waiting For The Wave", which apart from the nice melodic vocals, offers some good keyboard-infused background, and great galloping guitars; those both tracks will remind you of the Swedish progressive metallers Evergrey in many ways. This is by no means a better achievement than the debut, and it's obvious that the band try to move further away from the thrash stereotypes, aiming at the progressive metal crowd.
The Passing Full-length, 2008
Her Soft Emotional Announcement EP, 1998
Killing The Devil Inside Full-length, 2006
Mind Intensive X-Tract Full-length, 1994
Get the Point? Full-length, 1993
For A Day Or A Lifetime Full-length, 2005
Fatal Forsight Demo, 1987
Into The Maelstrom Demo, 1989
"Scarlet Slaughter" collects the best from the band's demos from the late 80's-early 90's. It shows the band in a good form at those earlier stages of their career, offering fast, aggressive death/thrash recalling Slayer and early Death. The music varies from thrashier, Slayer-esque tracks ("Tank", "Scarlet Slaughter"- here the singer tries to scream the way Tom Araya used to ("Black Magic"), to raging, grinding death metal attacks (Pharisee"). This compilation sounds even better than their debut, with its more aggressive, spontaineous approach.
I Was Watching My Death Full-length, 1992
Alcoholic Suicide Full-length, 1994
"The Endless Struggle Against Time" is more aggressive, and more consistent. The blast beats are more frequent, but when the guys slow down, they produce better results: "Condemned Fury". The groove lovers will dig "Lock In", and there is something for the classic thrash fans thrown in as well: the nice energetic "Nothing To Take" and "Necrosis", which come near the end, and create a nice headbanging atmosphere, partially ruined by the bland groovy closer "Monolith".
Perseverance Full-length, 2007