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
PACE OF HEARSE (GERMANY)
"Thrash The Heads" offers short, direct raw thrashers, not too far from Hirax, but more aggressive, and with a worse sound quality. The singer adds to the raw and aggressive sound of the recording, with his sinister, hoarse voice. "Troops of the Hearse" is longer, but doesn't waste time, and thrashes without mercy, having also a cool lead guitar section.
The DemoN Demo, 2005 My Space PAGAN RITES (SWEDEN)
The guys from the heavy/black metal outfit Devil Lee Rot, along with Devil Lee Rot himself, have decided to harden the course a bit, under a new name. Based on "Pagan Metal - Roars of The Anti Christ", this is black/thrash, sounding like a more vicious version of the Devil Lee Rot music, not very fast or aggressive, also recalling another Swedish act: Bewitched. An interesting moment are the doomy tracks ("Unholy Ancient War") which bring the sound close to the old veterans Bathory, Celtic Frost and Venom. The rest is a cool, simplistic, headbanging stuff, including some songs which sound as though directly taken from the Devil Lee Rot albums ("Pagan Metal").
Sodomy in Heaven EP, 1994 My Space PAGAN WAR MACHINE (USA)
A side project of the Dreams of Damnation members. Here the music is cleared of the aggrresive proto-death parts of the other band's style, which makes it more melodic and less enjoyable. The concentration is on heavy 90's aggro thrash akin to Pantera and Machine Head, and on vocals Steve Gaines does a good job to impersonate Phil Anselmo.
Demo 2002 Demo, 2002 PAGANDOM (SWEDEN)
A typical modern 90's thrash metal band- one of the many Pantera and Machine Head-clones.
Crushtime Full-length, 1994 PAGANIZER (SWEDEN)
This band started mixing thrash and death metal of the old school on their debut; crushing and mostly fast-paced music, with a ceratin use of blast beats, which could have been avoided, because they break the integrity of the compact, and quite cool thrash/death sound. Later on thrash metal stepped down, and their subsequent releases have embraced the death metal idea tighter, again doing a good job, along the lines of the early Swedish heroes from the movement: Grave, Entombed, etc.
Deadbanger Full-length, 1999 Official Site PAGANOS (ARGENTINA)
At the time when the veterans on the Argentinian metal scene were modernizing their sound, here came a band to put them all to shame. The album-title is misleading as there is nothing experimental here: this is all-out classic speed/thrash metal with great guitar melodies and catchy headbanging tracks- just listen to "Mi Legado" and jump around till you drop! Well, you can have a break on the next track which is a cool balladic piece- "Creando Tu Destino", but after it the assault goes on unabated with "Ni Muerto"- the most aggressive number on the album. This work must have been one the first sparkles to kindle the retro thrash renaissance in South America.
Experimental Full-length, 1999 PAIN (USA)
Aggressive Slayer-esque thrash, not bad, but the muddy sound quality is a major obstacle at times. Nevertheless the guys try hard, and the leads are more sensible than the ones of Kerry King. The music is fast and intense all the time, topped up by gruff, semi-death metal vocals.
Into The Bloodbath Demo, 1988 PAINGOD (USA)
Finally the band Raped Ape have decided to change their obscene name. Unfortunately, as Raped Ape the band
were able to pull out some nice thrash metal riffs of the classic school, whereas here we have just another
modern thrash act, with touches of hardcore.
Paingod Full-length, 1997 PAINMUSEUM (USA)
Metal Mike Chlasciak's (Halford, Testament) new band, ably supported by Bobby Jarzombek and Steve Digiorgio
(you know their backgrounds). With a stellar cast like that you expect nothing but a masterpiece, and this is probably
close on the most inspired moments. Everyone is in top form here, especially Mike whose guitar pyrotechnics are outstanding. The style is not too far from Halford's solo efforts, or Fight's "War Of Words", but is more thrashy and there is a certain modern edge ala Pantera in the guitar approach. And I haven't said anything about the singer yet, who is an acquired taste, with his gruff singing which sometimes doesn't really fit the music. This is a solid if a somewhat flawed release.
Metal For Life Full-length, 2005 Official Site PAINSTRUCK (PORTUGAL)
Swedish thrash/death metal made in Portugal. The soundalikes are as follow...
Aggressive Ways to Pacify Full-length, 2001 Official Site PALE CREATION (USA)
This is a very obscure band. The style is crossover/thrash: more thrash on the first demo, more crossover on
the second one.
Demo, 1992 PALE HORSE (USA)
This band were previously known as Hostility. The name change carries some style-changes, too, but not too many: the music is still a blend of death and thrash metal like on the Hostility EP, but this time the
concentration is more on thrash, and even speed metal; the tempo is faster with the traditional doom-sections
preserved here as well, and a slightly more aggressive vocal delivery. It was good for the 90's that there were acts like this one to carry the old school spirit.
Mournful EP, 1993 Official Site PANACEA (GERMANY)
Panacea is a side project for two Accuser members and their debut is pretty close in sound to early Accuser,
with a touch of Bay Area thrash: an excellent album although a bit short (only 6 tracks). The guys thrash with conviction and aggression, as evident from the smashing opener "Megalomania". Later some calmer, but quite hard-hitting songs come up ("Masquerade", "Delusion"). The tracks easily go over the 5-min range, although there is nothing too technical going on, maybe just occasionally. The style changed along with Accuser's, adopting a groovy modern sound on the second album.
Is It A Human ? Full-length, 1993 PANDEMONIC (SWEDEN)
Underground heroes from a couple of black and death metal bands have gotten together with the intention to play some classic thrash; and they have done exactly that: excellent classic thrash in a fast and energetic tempo, with great sharp riffs, recalling Razor's later (and better) period, and early Destruction. Those of you who grew up listening to "Shotgun Messiah", will spend days with this album! Apart from the non-stop riff-fest, some nice lead guitar could be heard, too. With the majority of the bands coming from Sweden nowadays, concentrated on the more modern thrash/death hybrid genre initiated by The Haunted, it's really cool to hear such well executed classic thrash metal work.
The Authors of Nightfear Full-length, 2000 Official Site PANIC (BRA)
Based on "Rotten Church", Panic are a typical representative of the branch created by the works of early
Sepultura and Sarcofago: brutal thrash bordering on death metal, obviously influenced by Possessed's "Seven
Churches"; short on technicality, but long on evil atmosphere and enthusiasm. "Best Before End" is a much better effort, with its aggressive riffs and fast tempo, strongly recalling Sepultura's "Beneath the Remains". The aggression is interrupted by some good slower, stomping thrashers ("Hannibal The Cannibal"), melodic power/thrash metal numbers ("No York, No York"), and a joke song at the end ("Shoobydahbydoobah").
Rotten Church Full-length, 1990 PANIC (USA)
The band appeared late on the scene, but their style was typical 80's thrash with a playful attitude, sounding
like a less aggressive Anthrax, or early Mordred. The music has this jolly, up-lifting quality, but the guitars are too sharp for this to be defined as crossover. On the other hand some tracks ("High Strung"), as well the vocal style, strangely recall Skid Row's "Slave to the Grind". But some pieces are really intense thrashers ("Morbid Curiosities"). The debut is the faster and better effort, whereas "Fact" introduces quite a few modern, groovy elements, bringing the sound close to 90's Overkill.
Epidemic Full-length, 1991 PANNYCHIDA (RUSSIA)
Based on "New World's End", this band play a dark, atmospheric blend of doom/death and some thrash. So don't expect blasting fast music- this is mid-paced stuff, with some female vocals, accompanying the gruff death metal main ones from time to time, a strong, but not annoying presence of keyboards, and meaty, heavy riffs. The probem is that very often the band adhere to the typical for the genre peaceful, melodic interludes which stifle the more aggressive nature of the rest, and near the end they try to vary things, adding some industrial and groove on the last two songs, and end up sounding like an almost different, but not better, band.
Here You Are! Full-length, 1996 Official Site PANTERA (USA)
The masters of modern 90's thrash who actually invented the whole scene along with Exhorder. Their beginnings
(not included here) were in classic heavy metal, but with "Cowboys From Hell" they made a major claim at
greatness. The early 90's were phenomenally successful for the band, but with Phil Anselmo taking part in
numerous projects and especially after the untimely, tragic death of Dimebag Darrell (R.I.P.), Pantera's
impact on the contemporary metal scene is not as strong as before.
Cowboys from Hell Full-length, 1990 Official Site PANTHER (GERMANY)
Based on the "Total Chaos" demo, this band come up with quite a mixed bag: at their best the guys pull out awesome speed/thrash ala Destruction and Angel Dust (the opener "Terror Invasion", and the follow-up "Shame for America" which features riffs directly stolen from Destruction's "Life Without Sense"), but there is a considerable doze of hardcore here, as well as some more intense, but inappropriate death metal parts ("Nuclear War"), and the vocals change style on every song alternating between cleaner and harsh, death metallic ones. It's most likely a compilation of smaller demos reflecting on the band's development through the years, but put together this mish-mash doesn't seem to work all the time.
Empire of Death Demo, 1989 PANTOKRATOR (SWEDEN)
Based on “Blod”, this band play excellent progressive thrash/death metal, with frequent switches from one style to the other, maybe staying closer to death metal, with a dual vocal attack: low death metal growls, and vicious snarls ala Jeff Walker. The music will remind you of Carcass’ “Heartwork” quite a bit, with the addition of some doomy, slow sections where the sound smells doom-death. Seldom can one hear guitar melodies in the vein of the Swedish melo-death wave, betraying the guys’ origins, as well as some blast beats. Near the end the band take a break from thrash/death with the folk/gothic number “Tidevarv”, and with the short atmospheric instrumental “O Guds Lamm”.
Allhärskare EP, 2000 Official Site PANZER (BRAZIL)
The band's debut is a blend of classic heavy metal and thrash with two covers- one of Kiss' "Detroit Rock
City", and the other- of Judas Priest's "Night Crawler". The sophomore release offers a much more modern
sound ala Pantera.
Inside Full-length, 1999 PANZERHÖLLE (GERMANY)
A cool, quite fast fusion of thrash and death metal, spiced with slower, semi-groovy breaks in the tradition of Six Feet Under. The guitar work is quite good, alternating sharp with melodic riffs to a cool effect- check out the excellent "Battlefield". The singer's deep growls are maybe not the best choice, bringing him close to the more brutal voices of death metal, like Karl Willets (Bolt Thrower).
And Then There Was Violence EP, 2008 My Space PAPSMEAR (USA)
Based on the "Lunch for the P.M.R.C." demo, this is pure "Reign in Blood" worship, and very well done at that; aggressive and hard-hitting music.
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas Demo, 1986 My Space PARABELLUM (COLOMBIA)
Based on "Sacrilegio", this is a very brutal record which could have been considered a pioneering work if it
had been known back in the 80's. So what we have here is some vicious, ultra aggressive black/thrash metal
sounding as though coming from the deepest bowels of hell (enough with the Lovecraft influence!). One can even catch some proto-death passages. Good production qualities are, of course, out of the question, but the utter brutality makes it an essential listen just for one to hear where the actual roots of the most extreme metal genres lie.
Sacrilegio EP, 1987 My Space PARADOX (GERMANY)
An outstanding speed/thrash metal band. The debut is excellent speed metal similar to early Helloween and
Warrant, but with the extraordinary "Heresy" the band easily left most of the competition behind. One more
album like that was needed to put them on the very top, but the band split up. Their comeback release is very
strong, with a more modern and complex sound going even into progressive territory at times, and a nice cover version of one of the first real speed metal classics- Scorpions' "Dynamite".
Product Of Imagination Full-length, 1987 My Space PARALYSER (USA)
Good power/thrash typical for the American scene of the 80's with high-pitched, dramatic vocals recalling Warrel Dane's first attempts at singing in his first band Serpent's Knight. They fit the music, however, which is fast most of the time, recalling a thrashy version of Attacker's "Second Coming", and Liege Lord's "Burn to My Touch". But you have to get used to the vocals, though, which might put a few smiles on your face for their sheer, and partially laughable, dramatism.
Demo Demo, 1988 PARALYSIS (HOLLAND)
A standout progressive/technical thrash band, who started in a marvellous way with "Arctic Sleep": an exquisite opener for their career, with its five explosive songs of stupendous technical thrash, with its mighty super-technical riffs and mind-blowing leads; the tempo is fast, but frequently changes forming whirlwinds of riffs and melodies; Helstar's "Nosferatu" comes to mind quite often, too, when listening to this, but here the guitars are sharper; this short masterpiece beats almost everything created in the technical genre at that stage, along with same year's Coroner's "Mental Vortex". Every track is a masterpiece of the genre, combining intense, speedy sections with swirling complex ones, the culmination probably being the closing "Arctic Sleep", which is the fastest and most intense piece, which sudden tempo changes makes it also a very compelling technical affair. The vocal performance is by no means bad, but the music overshadows it a bit, which is a pity, since the guy has a very powerful voice, coming as a cross between Jeoff Tate and James Rivera. Such a strong beginning inevitably raises the question: "what happens next?".
Arctic Sleep EP, 1991 PARANOIA (RUSSIA)
Power/thrash metal with weak vocals and one-dimensional tracks of the heavy/power metal variety, with a couple of decent thrashy headbangers present.
Mest' Zla Full-length, 1993 Fan Site PARANOIA (USA)
Good thrash/crossover, not too far from the more thrashy D.R.I. releases.
The Many Faces Of Full-length, 1989 PARIAH (UK)
This band have changed their name a few times having started as Satan, then performing as Blind Fury, before settling on this one. The style is a good mixture of the NWOBHM-sound of the past releases and thrash with a magnificent guitar work and very consistent song-writing. The style might remind you of mid-period Testament, but the guitar sound here is more pounding, and the faster sections are not that many; this is mid-paced to up-tempo music, with several more intense numbers present (the nice Sabbat-influenced "Killing for Company" from the debut). The debut contains the more aggressive, thrashy material, whereas "Blaze of Obscurity" offers a lighter sound, with nods to the heavy/power metal scene, and is the lesser achievement. Two of the band members joined Skyclad, and the band ceased to exist for about a decade, when they returned with "Unity" which is also very good, albeit more melodic, with a sound deeper rooted in NWOBHM.
The Kindred Full-length, 1988 Vibrations of Doom PARITY BOOT (GERMANY)
Based on the first demo, this is modern, industrialized at times thrash metal with some alternative elements added as well. A nice touch is the clean vocals as opposed to the synthesized, hardcore-ish apocalyptic shouts, but they would be more suitable for a gothic/wave act. The style will probably remind you of thrashy Misery Loves Co. (Sweden) or Die Krupps.
Demo Demo, 2004 Official Site PASCAL (POLAND)
Based on the "Collection of Destroyed Brains" demo, these guys try to offer something out of the ordinary, and succeed most of the time. This is technically-minded thrash with death-ish vocals, clearly rooted in the 80's sound, which reminds me of the Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.) side-project Control Denied, but with a considerably more thrashy edge: the riffs keep flowing and they are quite interesting and change often, without being too aggressive or fast. Another band their music could be compared to, is their compatriots from Astharoth, maybe less adventurous, and with a better bass bottom which is so good that often just overshadows the other instruments completely. And that's why the guitar work really tries hard to be in pace with it, which creates the impression that the guitarists compete with the bassist, and from this the listener only wins, as there are plenty of pyrotechnics from both sides to satisfy him. This is an engaging listen, with a lot of musicianship involved, and the intricate nature of the music might not be the headbanger's paradise, but those who are willing to take more care into the proceedings, will surely be rewarded.
Pascal Demo, 1991 PATECABRA (CHILE)
Vicious, brutal, fast black/thrash metal is what is on offer here. The band seldom slow down; the music is
close to Alastor from Portugal, but played much faster, and with a more aggressive attitude.
Patecabra EP, 2005 My Space PATHOS (SWEDEN)
One of the best Swedish metal bands of the past 10 years; progressive power/thrash with touches of doom. The debut is a smashing beginning, which came right on time to replace Hexenhaus on the top of the Swedish thrash metal scene, and is the band's finest hour: fabulous technical thrash not too far from masterpieces like Mind-Ashes' "The Views Obscured" and Hexenhaus' "Awakening"! The vocals are very close to Messiah Marcolin, but the music seldom smells doom. "Uni Versus Universe" is not too different from the debut, and is another stellar effort, but the sound is more complex, the guitars are even more technical, and the tracks are longer, with power metal saying its word more often.
Hoverface Full-length, 1997 My Space PATRIARCA (PARAGUAY)
The second metal band from Paraguay (after Corrosion) I have listened to, making me want to dedicate a
certain part of my life researching the metal scene over there. This is Bay Area thrash with some brilliant
guitar work which might put many Shrapnel heroes to shame. These guys can certainly go far.
Destrucci¾n Massiva Demo, 2002 PATRIARCH (BELGIUM)
A relative late comer on the thrash metal scene, Patriarch play an interesting brand of epic power metal,
"accompanied" by a healthy "pinch" of thrash, somewhat along the lines of Drifter, but Patriarch are more
power metal-based. Worthy of note are the excellent vocals ranging from forceful, thrashy notes to wailing, high-
pitched ones. Both albums are in the same style, but the debut is decidedly the better effort. The compositions mix more intense thrashy riffs, with epic/power metal ones, and those latter ones bring some nice melodic choruses with them. The longer, progressively-laced songs are by far the band's more attractive side: "Shadowland" is a masterpiece of progressive power/speed/thrash; still some of the shorter numbers pack a punch no worse, like the energetic speed/thrasher "Father Kreator", and the fine stomping heavy thrash instrumental "Prophecy". But at least half of the songs are mid-paced, melodic power metal with hints of thrash, not bad at all, with cool melodic hooks. The sophomore release emphasizes on the melodic aspect, leaving the thrashing a bit behind.
Thrash The Heads Demo, 2006
ReHEARSEal Demo, 2007
Bloodlust and Devastation EP, 2000
Mark of the Devil Full-length, 2003
Dancing Souls Single, 2005
Pagan Metal Single, 2006
Pagan Metal - Roars of The Anti Christ Full-length, 2006
Bayonets And Battle Scars Demo, 2003
Warlust EP, 1999
Promoting Total Death Full-length, 2001
Dead Unburied Full-length, 2002
Murder Death Kill Full-length, 2003
No Divine Rapture Full-length, 2004
You Have The Right To Remain Violent EP, 2006
A Whole New Perception Full-length, 2002
The Scalpel EP EP, 2006
Demo, 1994
Bitter Fruits of Temptation EP, 1994
Until the Last Seal is Opened Best of/Compilation, 2005
Promo-CD EP, 1994
Pray Full-length, 1995
"Boiling Point" is strongly influenced by the 90's groovy trends, and is the band's weakest hour, despite the presence of some interesting attempts at more stylish play ala mid 90's Voivod ("Beholder", "Satanacrack").
Best Before End Full-length, 1992
Boiling Point Full-length, 1996
Fact Full-length, 1993
Defragmentation Full-length, 1999
New World's End Full-length, 2006
Vulgar Display of Power Full-length, 1992
Biomechanical EP, 1993
Hostile Moments EP, 1994
Far Beyond Driven Full-length, 1994
Alive and Hostile E.P. EP, 1994
The Great Southern Trendkill Full-length, 1996
Becoming EP, 1996
Unofficial Hits (CD Sampler) EP, 1998
Reinventing the Steel Full-length, 2000
Extreme Steel Plus EP, 2001
Rhino Hi-Five - Pantera - EP EP, 2006
Total Chaos Demo, 1989
“Songs of Solomon” is not far from “Blod”; it’s maybe more atmospheric and slower, doomier. “Aurum” slows down, but not much, and is quite inferior to “Blod”; the influence of the Gothenburg school is stronger, although the music preserves the progressive tendencies most of the time. A highlight or a disappointment (depending on the taste) is the massive 14-min doom epic “The Feeble Flame”, which could make even bands like Katatonia (early) and Opeth proud.
Songs of Solomon EP, 2001
Blod Full-length, 2003
Aurum Full-length, 2007
The Strongest Full-length, 2001
Lunch for the P.M.R.C. Demo, 1987
Scraping the Walls Demo, 1991
The Inhuman Condition Demo, 1992
Mutacion Por Radiacion EP, 1988
Apparently not willing to capitalize on the success of "Collision Course", the band took quite a long break, before they strike again. The style is not miles away from "Collision...", being more technical, albeit with more melodic guitar lines, coming as a mix of power, thrash and speed metal, and this time resembles the Polish Hellfire quite a lot on the faster sections. This is fast-paced stuff, with progressive overtones, and some nods to the 90's power/speed metal scene: "Monument", mostly in the catchy chorus. The guys take a break from speed more often than they have ever done before, which I personaly find a not very desirable tendency: "Portrait in Grey" and "Cyberspace Romance" are heavy, balladic pieces which would probably suit better mid-period Squealer, or modern day Helloween. While "Collision Course" was a truly satisfying slab of hard-hitting speed/thrash, recalling the incredible "Heresy" on many moments, "Electrify" show the band spreading their wings to reach more metal sub-genres. Maybe this is the first step towards leaving the thrash metal field some time in the future?!
Heresy Full-length, 1989
Collision Course Full-length, 2000
Electrify Full-Length, 2008
Apparently the guys were carefully thinking over their next step, so it was no wonder that their next offering appeared whole 3 years later. When "Altered States" starts, one knows that this won't be the same experience; this opener is slower, longer, and despite the presence of great technical guitars, is kind of underwhelming. After the next "Experimental Factor Genocide", which carries on in the same vein, the listener will put his hopes to hear something fast and intense music to rest (there is only one track which could fit the debut: the short bombastic technical "Twisted"), and from now on will have to adjust to the new style; and if he manages to do that, he will come across some truly impressive progressive thrashers: the more dynamic, up-tempo "The Waters Cry", the doomy thrasher "Tardis", the atmospheric, dark "Enemies Within". "Escape from Yesterday - Suniptar" is a magnificent ballad, finished in a quite aggressive, thrashy manner: a sudden, unexpected, but truly satisfying touch (which could be another song, albeit too short). Despite its numerous good moments, this album remains in the shadow of the much shorter (this one here has whole 13 tracks) debut EP.
"Wonderland" sounds like a smaller version of the preceding album; again no speed involved, this time even the technicality is missing, making this small effort sound like pretty standard power/thrash, still good, relying on old songs to make it stand out: the ballad from the previous work "Escape from Yesterday", and the great technical number from the debut EP "Inhumane".
Certainly after the last not very impressive offering the interest in the band was expected to diminish, and "Architecture Of The Imagination" did not enjoy the same acceptance as before. Still, it was quite a worthy slab of progressive power metal, quite close to Hexenhaus' "Dejavoodoo" and their continuation Fifth Reason, with few moments of thrash. Songs like the excellent technical power/thrasher "Picture Picture" and the slower, but very good progressive piece "Trip" stir the mood, but the insertion of some modern elements, which were strange to the band's sound before, and the lack of any more speedy passages, might make this album a somewhat tiring experience for the regular thrash metal fan, although as a piece of well executed progressive metal, this work delivers the goods on all counts.
Visions Full-length, 1994
Wonderland EP, 1996
Architecture Of The Imagination Full-length, 2000
Blaze of Obscurity Full-length, 1989
Unity Full-length, 1998
Demo Demo, 2006
Collection of Destroyed Brains Demo, 1992
About a Man Full-length, 1995
El Horror Full-length, 2007
"Katharsis" starts in an awesome way with the title carrier, another great technical thrasher; then the music softens a little, but remains on a very high level. Progressive metal has stepped even further, and some tracks will probably remind you of Abstract Algebra, Fifth Reason, and even Memento Mori, until the time when "Detonation" hits- a great headbanger, finished with a marvelluos progressive passage. After it the course hardens for a couple of songs, and stays like that till the end. I hope these guys are still together; this is arguably the finest Swedish metal band for the past 10 years.
Uni Versus Universe Full-length, 1998
Katharsis Full-length, 2002
Metal Hasta La Eternidad Demo, 2004