Copyright (c) 2007-2010 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE
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R.A.M.B.O. (USA)
Thrashcore of the fast intense type, without completely missing in the melodic department; the problem is that from the whole 19 songs included here there are barely two which slow down a bit to bring a change from the very one-dimensional, quickly wearing out, delivery.
Bring IT! Full-Length, 2009 R.A.V.A.G.E. (USA)
This is the early incarnation of the legendary Atheist. Traces of technical death metal are, of course, nowhere to be found. On "Rotting in Hell": if we exclude the vicious, harsh vocals of Kelly Shaefer, there is nothing too aggressive or brutal here, although the music is quite intense: definitely thrash, but quite raw, with a few moments of good musicianship, not miles away from early Hallows Eve, or Slayer's "Hell Awaits". The guitar sound is very thin, and sticks out of the other instruments to the point of annoyance.
Rotting in Hell Demo, 1985 R.A.W.W.A.R. (CANADA)
This is the band from where Alex Vachon (Quo Vadis, Cryptopsy) started his career in metal. He shows his infatuation with a more technical play on this 5-song demo which is fast furious thrash/death metal not very far from the early exploits of Hellwitch. This is clearly one of the earliest attempts at pure death metal (check out the bombs "Rawwar" and "Delirium") as the concentration is strictly on speed and aggression with a few semi-technical licks present here and there. The bass work is quite good overshadowing the amateurish screaming leads, and the singer does a good job with his vicious semi-death shouts.
Delirium Demo, 1988 R.I.P. (MEXICO)
Based on "Las Damas De Salem", R.I.P. are a power/thrash metal band with nice melodic guitar work. Their style is similar to the Argentinians Hermetica. Don't expect lashing, sharp thrashy riffs: tracks like the intense killers "Cirrosis" and "Arsenico" are not too many; the other material offered is mid-paced melodic power/thrash metal with numerous nods to the classic heavy metal scene.
Placer Insano Full-length, 1990 R.I.P. (PERU)
This Peruvian trio unleashes quite brutal death-tinged thrash metal which is constantly fast, both on the longer and shorter compositions. The constant blasting makes the tracks merge into one another, and more variety would only be beneficial for the future, but not in the form of mellow, heavy metal numbers like "Minotauro 2". "Reaccion Cadena" is a cool attempt at a more complex song-writing, and has its moments, switching from super-fast parts to better slower ones, where the guitars sound atmospheric, supported by the strong bass work.
Ejecución sin Misericordia Demo, 2008 My Space R.I.V. (BRAZIL)
Aggressive, fast-paced thrash, a direct take on Ratos De Porao's "Brazil"; short blitzkrieg tracks with scattered touches of grind and hardcore. Sometimes the speed goes over the line in a way similar to Wehrmacht, but these moments sound even better as sheer aggression is the order of the day there.
Is This a Modern World Full-Length, 1993 R.O.T. (USA)
American power metal meets thrash; the result is not bad, mid-tempo reminiscent of the Savatage debut and early Laaz Rockit. "Fight" richly deserves its title speeding up admirably being a nice little headbanger. "War Stories", on the other extreme, sounds almost epic, but comes up with cool guitar melodies and war-like choruses.
War Stories Demo, 1987 RABBATH AMMON (JORDAN)
The second band from Jordan to grace these pages after Ajdath; black/thrash metal with a slightly monotonous feeling, modern sounding, with a use of a drum computer which creates a somewhat artificial, mechanical atmosphere. There are a few stylish atmospheric, gothic-tinged moments, but generally this is not something really worth checking out, at least from a thrash metal point-of-view.
Rabbath Ammon Demo, 2005 Fan Site RABBIT JUNK (USA)
Modern post-thrash, melodic stuff, with alternative and metalcore borrowings, and a couple of vocal styles quarreling within; the odd brutal track is certainly here ("Black"), but those moments are very rare.
This Life Is Where You Get Fucked Full-Length, 2008 RABBIT'S CARROT (SWEDEN)
The Swedish metal underground is full with demos like these: typical late 80's thrash of the aggressive
variety with fast, proto-death moments and attempts at a more ambitious song-writing ("My Own
Leprocy").
Question Of Pain Demo, 1989 RABID (USA, California)
Based on the "Led to the Gallows" demo: despite the bad sound quality, this effort pulls out well done speed/thrash metal, reminiscent of the Whiplash and the Agent Steel debuts, with nice attempts at a more technical play ("Deadly Obsession").
Demo Demo, 1985 RABID (USA, New York)
The band's early demos have nothing to do with thrash metal, being brutal death/grind. On their only official
release so far they have suddenly switched to thrash, and have done quite a good job, with a sound reminding of many veterans from the 80's- Razor, Kreator, Destruction, among others. The band play fast and tight most of the time, with only "Metal Massacre" being a slower, but also a nice heavy thrasher. This is definitely one of the more impressive debuts from the thrash metal field in 2007.
Annihilation Full-length, 2007 Official Site RABID CAPTOR (USA)
A 3-song demo of aggressive proto-death/thrash metal reminiscent of Slayer's "Reign in Blood" and Dark Angel's "Darkness Descends".
Last Rites Demo, 1990 RABID LASSIE (USA)
Brisk simplistic thrash/crossover with an open hardcore edge; this is wild frenetic stuff ala early D.R.I. and The Accused with a few more laid-back punky "reliefs".
Camel Toes Demo, 1987 RACE WAR (GERMANY)
Based on the debut: melodic thrash/crossover which, along with the more energetic, jolly numbers features heavier, but slower ones ("Helliger Krieg") which work better, because it's where the guitars sound sharper. There are a few tender ballads as well, and a few punk-ish tracks. "Stimme des Blutes" is a soft hard rock affair, mixed with a huge doze of punk; no shades of thrash whatsoever, although some may find the melodies inside catchy and singalong.
Kingdom Of Hate Full-Length, 2004 RADAMANTHYS (USA)
3 songs of melodic thrash/death metal with more laid-back guitar work in mid-tempo with brutal low death metal vocals; "Earth Rim Roamer" has its ties to the gothic/doom metal field as well where the guitars start smashing heavily recalling early My Dying Bride.
Radamanthys Demo, 2009 Official Site RADAR (RUSSIA)
This Russian duo comes up with very good classic instrumental thrash, often reminiscent of the Metallica instrumental pieces of the 80's; actually this is the "child" of only one musician, going under the pseudonim Ravendark, who uses the services of a singer (Britva), whenever needed. This is really music worth hearing: sharp straight thrash metal in various tempos and moods, but never too technical or complex; the approach is not too distant from the one of another one man project: The National Cemetery Orchestra, or the Canadians Mastery, on the faster compositions (the excellent energetic "V"- all the tracks are numbers, without titles). There is a nice keybord background to be heard, and the closing "VII" is an impressive combination of doom and thrash metal with nods to Metallica's "To Live Is To Die". The sound quality is crystal clear, and a full-length of the same material would be definitely worth checking out.
Shemhamfothrash! Demo, 2008 RADIATION SICKNESS (USA)
Based on the "Elvis Ain't Dead" demo, this band play thrash/crossover which recalls Cerebral Fix's "Life Sucks...and Then You Die!", maybe more brutal and hardcore-ish at times, with clear grindcore pretensions (Elvis Ain't Dead"). Reportedly on the later efforts the guys have increased the intensity by adding some death metal-styled guitars.
We are All the Victims Demo, 1988 RADICAL (URUGUAY)
A modern, and not really striking version of thrash/crossover do these guys play, with a shade of hardcore on the shorter tracks, and occasional brutal tendencies, where they get obsessed by grind even ("Pelea"). Among the speedy thrashers, there are more moderate ones ("Kerosene"), but the problem is that they try to imitate Pro-Pain and other 90's acts. Others, on the other hand, are bland alternative experiments, pale copies of what bands like Tool or Helmet offer ("Milagro"). The industrial death/thrasher "Salvame" is the only song which matches the very cool Slayer-esque opener "Technosis".
Radio EP, 2005 Official Site RADIOLOKATOR (CZECH)
The guys have just two songs released so far showing an act capable of pulling out pretty decent early Germanic speed/thrash also not far from the early efforts of their compatriots Kryptor to whom half of their discography so far is dedicated: "Rychlost Vitezi".
Nunslaughter / Radiolokator Split, 2009 RAFFLESIA (BELGIUM)
Based on "In The Face Of Suffering", this band plays a modern blend of thrash and death metal, fast intense stuff, with sparce metalcore breaks, and more frequent melodic passages, some of which are quite striking (check out "Bow Down"). The guitar work is not bad, although pretty derivative, and the guys spare no speed which goes well with melodic "decorations". The same, however, can not be said about the forced throaty death metal vocals which are intercepted by other aggressive styles, one of which are shrieky black-ish ones.
Rafflesia EP, 2006 My Space RAGE (GERMANY)
One of the most respectable and most prolific German metal bands, earlier known as Avenger (one full-length and one EP were released under that name), Rage's beginnings are firmly rooted in thrash metal boasting energetic, technical riffs and great memorable songs. Their thrash metal past jumps up here and there on their later works, but the style is full-blooded power/speed metal: one of the finest of its kind, and also recommended for thrash metal fans.
Reign of Fear Full-length, 1986 Official Site RAGER (UK)
A good 4-track demo of classic aggressive thrash in the vein of Slayer (both their more aggressive and more laid back period) and Sepultura ("Arise"). The songs are fast and intense with the exception of "Idiot Circus" which is an exercise on heavy crushing riffage.
Pray For Death EP, 2007 My Space RAGING FURY (CANADA)
Quite good semi-technical power/thrash metal sounding not far from Wargasm's "Why Play Around", and Savage Steel's "Do or Die" on the more inspired technical moments. The music is quite varied: there are fast speedy sections; slow, almost, doomy ones; vigorous galloping ones; twisting technical crescendos, short memorable choruses, etc. The singer tries to follow those twists, and does a good job with his potent md-ranged clean voice who doesn't miss the opportunity to unleash a higher pitch whenever necessary. The only complaint would probably come from the lead department: the lead guitar player spares himself with short naive, somewhat amateurish, solos, which are well inferior to the very good riffage.
Raging Fury Full-Length, 1991 RAGING FURY (JAPAN)
With their first demo released in 1986, Raging Fury are actually the first real thrash metal band from
Japan. Based on the "Wolf Spider" demo, these guys pull out good fast thrash metal tunes with a slight
crossover element ("Donald Duck"); a really good start for the Japanese thrash metal scene.
Raging Fury Demo, 1986 Official Site RAGING MOB (CHINA)
After the haunting intro taken from the horror cult classic "Re-Animator", these Chinese present us with polished modern power/thrash metal which offers cool headbanging ("Slave to a Lie", "Rage", "Promise breaker") moments. The album brings nothing new to the scene, but is competently executed which shouldn't be a surprise if one finds out that behind this project stands Robert Gonnella: the same one who sang for the Germans Assassin, and also lends his vocal abilities here.
Raging Mob Full-length, 2008 Official Site RAINSPAWN (ITALY)
One of the promising young Italian thrash metal bands, Rainspawn really pull it out with pretty good technical thrash similar to mid-period Megadeth on "No Escape". However, the whole album is not sustained in this vein, and at times one can hear more uninspired moments as though the guys didn't quite trust themselves that they could come up with a masterpiece like "Rust In Piece". "Buried Alive" is an impressive opener, setting the Megadeth influenced tone of the album, being quite an energetic technical thrasher. But then comes "The Execution", which at least in the first half features more melodic, slightly funky guitars, and the listener already has something in mind. But after it the music accumulates a lot of inertia, and the dull moments are few; maybe "The Time Warp" is one, with its speedy riffs ala early Scanner and the catchy happy chorus; it's just a joke song, I guess. What follows, however, is the album's highlight: an excellent instrumental, which boasts great lead guitar work, and the long complex, but very satisfying "Two Month Sleep", which will remind you of several tracks from Megadeth's "Rust in Peace" put together (you sort them out).
Messenger Of Death EP, 2000 Official Site RAISE CAIN (SWEDEN)
One of the first bands from Sweden who followed on the steps of Pantera and Machine Head; this is heavy groovy 90's thrash mixed with hardcore in the Pro-Pain vein. There are both hard-hitting and more light-hearted moments; for fans of the genre these guys are well worth tracking down.
Call It Whatever You Want EP, 1994 RAISE HELL (SWEDEN)
Having started as a pure black metal band on their debut, the guys quickly jumped on the more fashionable
thrash wagon with the follow-up which was still not cleared of all the black metal "remnants". "Babes" sounds like a leftover from Kreator's "Outcast", but the intensity increases later on with the pounding "Back Attack", and the aggressive "Soulcollector". The band don't aim at the very fast and brutal dimensions of the genre, and melodic, pleasant, black-ish songs are also around: "Devylin".
Holy Target Full-length, 1998 Official Site RAISE THE DEAD (UK)
A modern blend of thrash and death metal, with cool guitar work, and some occasional technical implements. The guys vary the tempo from mid-paced to faster: check out the nice headbanger "Cloak of Mist".
Hymns of War EP, 2005 Official Site RAISING FEAR (PORTUGAL)
Aggressive thrash/death sounding like a more deathy "Beneath the Remains", with moments also reminding early Death; this is fast music, never brutal, with deep death throaty vocals and straight sharp riffs. "Gone Mad" is obviously a leftover from an early demo, being mellower early thrash ala Slayer's "Hell Awaits". The guys concentrated more on their other project Genocide, with whom they released 2 full-lengths and 3 demos of brutal death/grind.
Raising Fear Demo, 1994 RAMAYANA (SWEDEN)
Atmopsheric dark thrash with brutal death metal vocals alternating with unemotional clean ones; the music is not bad being heavy with gothic touches and nice melodies reminiscent of early Nighfall (Greece).
Ramayana EP, 2010 Official Site RAMMER (CANADA)
One of the new Canadian thrash metal bands of the new millennium, Rammer offer a very potent mixture of old
school thrash, black and death metal (mostly on the band's new album). The German thrash metal scene is an
obvious influence on the band's sound- Kreator and Sodom, in particular, the latter especially in the vocal
department (think of a more vicious version of Tom Angelripper). Apart from occasional metalcore moments
("Rammer"), everything here is done with style and competence.
Incinerator and Krusher Full-length, 2002 Official Site RAMMING SPEED (USA)
The full-length is an energetic simplistic slab of classic thrash/crossover, owing much to acts like Ludichrist, The Accused and Leeway. The guys thrash with conviction, relying mostly on speed and catchiness, adding the odd sense of humour in the song-titles: "Shane Embury Is the Brad Pitt of Grindcore". The surprise comes at the end, with the closing heavy metal hymn with the very appropriate title "Heavy Metal Thunder" which sounds as though directly taken from some of the 80's works of Saxon or Diamond Head.
Full Speed Ahead EP, 2007 My Space RAMP (PORTUGAL)
"Thoughts" is one of the finest thrash metal albums which the Portuguese metal scene ever produced, a classic
thrash masterpiece, fast and technical at the same time, bringing to mind Death Angel's "The Ultra Violence", but with a more technical edge. The vocals are of the clean type with adherence to rough higher-toned shouts. The sound runs away from the thrash metal formula into epic heavy metal fields in the middle: "The Last Child", and "Try Again", which is a cover of a rock'n roll number, which author I don't know; Tankard have the same cover made on "The Morning After" (could be a Tankard cover?). But the guys gain speed again on the last three songs: awesome thrashers gracefully finishing this great album. The band's future career follows closely on the steps of Pantera and Machine Head, and is not that bad with really aggressive, but derivative, approach.
Thoughts Full-length, 1992 Official Site RAMPAGE (AUSTRALIA)
This band was founded by two members of the Australian thrashers Hobb's Angel Of Death, after they left their previous band. The style here is more ambitious with slight technical tendencies not too far from Liege Lord's "Master's Control", but with a more aggressive attitude, and a worse sound quality. The band show skills at thrashing with more intensity: "Acid Storm", "Producers' Edge", but their slower more technical side is kind of more appealing: "Sinister at Sunrise", "Satrap". The guys were surely going somewhere, but they never recorded again.
The 1987 demos show a band ready to do some damage on a larger scale; the music is much better with cool aggressive parts, smelling death metal in a way similar to the Death debut, and these efforts are clearly some of the first full-blooded attempts at death metal, along with this album. "Undefiled Wisdom" is one of the first death metal pieces, a furious and a violent number. "Hell Hath No Fury" is not too far behind boasting great guitar work, suggesting at bigger things to come in the near future. There are not too many technical deviations, but it was clear that these guys were having a lot more up their sleeve.
Raging Death vol. 1 Split album, 1987
On They Slay Demo, 1987
Hell Hath No Mercy Demo, 1987
"Demencia Extrema" is uneventful groovy 90's post-thrash which suddenly livens up with more aggressive riffage, but these switches are awkward and not that frequent. Still, this effort doesn't lack energy and sharpness although the latter asset is mostly due to the buzz-like guitar sound. Near the end the guys "lose" it, and start thrashing in a furious Sepultura-sque manner with the merciless "Berfagor" which remains the only pleasant surprise.
Las Damas de Salem Full-length, 1992
Demencia Extrema Full-length, 1996
Ammonites' Knights' Nights Single, 2006
Led to the Gallows Demo, 1986
Stimme des Blutes Full-Length, 2005
Elvis Ain't Dead Demo, 1989
More Than Death - Volume I Split, 1990
Bounds of Reality EP, 1990
The Other Me - A Journey Into Insanity EP, 1990
Circle of Sickness (1988-1990) Best of/Compilation, 2005
Perfecto Infierno Full-length, 2006
Embrace the Final Day Full-length, 2007
In The Face Of Suffering Full-length, 2010
"Reign of Fear" is a sure-handed debut, with their style almost fully shaped. The music is energetic and sharp, and here one can easily hear all the trade marks of the band: the very catchy memorable choruses, the forceful semi-clean vocals of Peter "Peavy" Wagner, the fast-paced semi-technical guitar work, etc. The guys here provide blistering, speedy thrashers: the excellent "Deceiver", the opening "Scared to Death", the speed metal killer "Hand of Glory", the speed/thrashing furies "Echoes of Evil" and "Machinery". The more melodic side is also here, in the form of the softer, slower "Reign of Fear", "Raw Energy", and the fine heavy metal hymn "Chaste Flesh". The closing "Scaffold" fortunately comes at the end, otherwise it would have spoiled the fun, being a very long heavy, and a bit boring, ballad.
"Execution Guaranteed" is a strong follow-up, with tighter, and heavier guitar work. The album starts with a great speed/thrashing trio ("Before The Storm", "Deadly Error", "Down By Law"), before "Execution Guaranteed" slows down with smashing riffage, being a very satisfying heavy technical thrasher. "Grapes Of Wrath" is a marvellous technical instrumental, one of the band's finest achievements. The album loses speed and intensity after that, and "Streetwolf" could be considered the analogue to the long balladic closer of the debut: it's heavy, monotonous, partially saved by the more up-tempo final section. The last song "When You`re Dead" is a revelation, finishing the album the way it started: in a brisk speed/thrashing manner.
"Perfect Man" is the band's best work, along with "Trapped" (1992). All the 14 tracks are utterly compelling power/speed/thrash anthems, although thrash metal steps down, playing a secondary role. Speed/thrash metal hymns ("Wasterland", "Supersonia Hydromatic", "Don't Fear the Winter", "A Pilgrim's Path", "Between the Lines") take turns with more laid-back power metal ones ("Death in the Afternoon", "Time and Place", "Sinister Thinking", "The Darkest Hour"). There's no way you won't fall in love with this magnificent stuff: simple, direct, catchy metal at its best which marked the end of their more aggressive early period.
Execution Guaranteed Full-length, 1987
Perfect Man Full-length, 1988
The "The Rattlesnake Rules" is only 2 songs, both of which show the band carrying on in the same vein, moshing out crossover-laced speedy thrashers, this time longer, but without too many ados.
Wolf-Spider Demo, 1987
The Rattlesnake Rules EP, 1988
Raging Fury Full-length, 1992
Deal you a fatal Blow EP, 1999
No Escape Full-length, 2004
Stench Full-length, 1995
"Wicked Is My Game" is a great work with very sharp cutting riffs; although often citing Destruction as their idols, the band's music is not a very close soundalike to the Germans. The music is mid-paced, with very timid attempts at more speed ("Deathrace" is an example of the latter), infused with melodic hooks and good choruses. "Hellborn" uses the theme from the cult horror film "Halloweeen" as a base for a fine sinister thrasher, the highlight of the album.
"City of the Damned" is a real disappointment, a U-Turn from the band's biting thrash style, into a more melodic variation of modern post-thrash, similar to what The Haunted did on "The Dead Eye".
Not Dead Yet Full-length, 2000
Wicked Is My Game Full-length, 2002
To the Gallows EP, 2006
City of the Damned Full-length, 2006
Suffer EP, 2003
Cancer Full-length, 2006
Brainwreck Full-length, 2008
"Visions" brings more life into the band's rigid approach adhering to more brutal riffage, still far from the classical standards, but entertaining enough, when it comes cleared of the groove and the Black Album-like leanings. The guitars hit hard on quite a few times, and for fans of the angrier modern side of thrash there is a lot offered to be enjoyed.
Intersection Full-length, 1995
Evolution, Devolution, Revolution Full-length, 1998
Nude Full-length, 2003
Planet Earth EP, 2005
Visions Full-length, 2009