Copyright (c) 2007 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE
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R.A.V.A.G.E. (USA)
This is the early incarnation of the legendary Atheist. Traces of technical death 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 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. The 1987 demos show a band ready to do some damage on a larger scale; the music is much better, with some cool aggressive parts, smelling death metal in a way similar to Death's debut, and these efforts are clearly 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 violent number. "Hell Hath No Fury" is not too far behind, boasting some 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.
Rotting in Hell Demo, 1985 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, with numerous nods to the classic heavy metal scene.
Placer Insano Full-length, 1990 R.O.T. (USA)
American power metal meets thrash; the result is not bad, mid-tempo, reminiscent of Savatage's 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'S CARROT (SWEDEN)
The Swedish metal underground is full with demos like these: typical late 80's thrash of the aggressive
variety with some fast, proto-death moments and some 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 very well done speed/thrash metal, reminiscent of Whiplash's and Agent Steel's debuts, with some nice attempts at 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 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 RACE WAR (GERMANY)
Melodic thrash/crossover which, along with the more energetic, jolly numbers features some 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.
Kingdom Of Hate Full-Length, 2004 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 grind-core 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 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 some 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 (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 some 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 RAINSPAWN (ITALY)
One of the promising young Italian thrash metal bands, Rainspawn really pull it out with some really 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 some 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 some 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 very 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 some hardcore in the Pro-Pain vein. There are both some hard-hitting and some 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 some melodic, pleasant, black-ish songs are also around: "Devylin".
Holy Target Full-length, 1998 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 some occasional metalcore moments
("Rammer"), everything here is done with style and competence.
Incinerator and Krusher Full-length, 2002 Official Site 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 some adherence to high-toned rough shouts. The sound runs away from the thrash 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 trashers 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 some 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 some 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 skill 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.
Veil of Mourn Full-length, 1988 Vibrations of Doom RAMROD (USA)
This band were supposed to be the continuation of the mighty Liege Lord, after a lengthy, 6-year break. Well conformed with the 90's tastes, this 3-song demo also has a slight classic flavour, but is more along the lines of Flotsam & Jetsam's "Cuatro", and 90's Overkill, rather than the early works of Liege Lord. This is the reason, I guess, why the guys continued their career in Overkill after this solitary effort, and some of them were also later seen in other famous American metal acts (Annihilator, Anvil, etc.).
Promo Tape Demo, 1994 RANCOR (SPAIN)
This is cool classic power/thrash metal: mid-paced, with some occasional fast moments and some nice melodic
guitar work. The overall style recalls Ultimatum or early Imagika.
Death Is Everywhere EP, 2006 Official Site RANDOM DAMAGE (CANADA)
Modern power/thrash metal close to 90's Flotsam & Jetsam. This is heavy, mid-paced stuff, spiced with quite a few slower, almost doomy parts, including one acoustic ballad as a finishing touch ("Calm Before The Storm", although nothing really stormy comes after this one- pun intended). It sounds appealing, when it speeds up ("Shut Your Mouth", "Broken Mirror"), but this doesn't happen that often.
Random Damage Full-length, 1995 RANDOM MULLET (FINLAND)
This is very technical/progressive stuff, which at its best comes close to the Canadians Electro Quarterstuff. This is not all-out thrash all the time, but has its furious thrashy moments: "The Statement", "Penetrated Skin" and "Infected" are fine examples of the latter, but the guys never settle for something more ordinary, and all compositions are filled with various tempo changes and atmospheric, semi-balladic passages, where the guitars lose theit cutting edge, and then come the clean, melodic vocals which give the sound a distinctive, but not very desirable semi-alternative edge. There is a lot happening here, especially on the 9-min epic "Waters of Shame", which is an impressive work of progressive, thought-out metal. The thrash metal fan should give this band a listen; those who like their metal more complex and non-conventional, would certainly be not disappointed.
Infection EP, 2007 Official Site RAPED APE (USA)
With a name like this, one would expect hard or even grind-core. Well, there's nothing like that here; this is
some very good classic Bay Area thrash, with quite stylish guitar work, akin to Exodus and Testament, with a dual vocal attack: rough death metal growls and more typical thrashy ones ala more aggressive Max Cavalera. The music is quite hard-hitting, having also shades from Sepultura's best period ("Beneath the Remains", "Arise"): "Land of Promises". The concentration is not on speed, but on heavy, crushing riffage with a nice semi-technical edge. Unfortunately this work is only 6 tracks. Later some members continued their career under the name Paingod.
Terminal Reality Full-length, 1993 Official Site RAPED GOD (MEXICO)
A promising new band from Mexico who play death/thrash metal with more emphasis on death, but with some good semi-technical thrash riffs, too. The sound is quite heavy and pounding, accompanied by sparce furious blast beats, with a very occasional use of the lead guitars.
Raped God Full-length, 2004 My Space RAPED GOD 666 (MEXICO)
This is the same band, known as just Raped God previously (see the review above), who had to change their name because of the clash with the former singer for the old name. The style here is pretty much the same, much more thrash-based, and to these ears better sounding. The new singer does a very good job, with a semi-clean, rough voice, close to Katon W. DePena (Hirax). The music is fast and intense, combining the German thrash trends with some Slayer-esque parts. Actually death metal-like intensity is almost nowhere to be found, with very few exceptions: sections from "The Eyes Of Hate", "The Hellbeast", etc. "Metal, Muerte, Destruccion" is a smashing thrashterpiece; a raging instrumental, which starts in a calmer, softer way, before it turns into a ball of fury later on.
The Executioner Full-length, 2008 My Space RAPID DECAY (USA)
Based on "Thrashin' Undead", this is good 80's thrash with some slight crossover elements, reminiscent of
Suicidal Tendencies' more thrashy releases. The production is slightly dull, putting the drums too much
forward. The tracks are fast and short except the last one- "Commanding Legions Of The Walking Dead", which is a nice deviation from the straight formula.
Rapid Decay Full-length, 2003 Official Site RAPID FIRE (POLAND)
Quite cool classic thrash, with a few modern implements, mid-paced, not very aggressive, with nice melodic guitars, and good mid-ranged, semi-clean vocals. Some tracks have a more modern, also alternative shade, including two ballads, where the singer is by all means the star of the show (the 2nd demo), as opposed to the more hard-hitting numbers, mostly in the 1st demo.
Demo Demo, 2002 Official Site RAPID FORCE (SERBIA)
This band were founded by a former guitarist of another Serbian thrash metal band- Heller. Rapid Force's style
is not pure classic thrash like the other band; their sound is heavier, with more modern tendencies, reminding of
90's Overkill. There is also a certain 80's spirit here, recalling late 80's Metallica. The musicianship is
particularly good, with some impressive solos and a great bass bottom.
Apotheosis Of War Full-length, 1993 My Space RASPATUL (SINGAPORE)
A typical for modern times mixture of thrash, black, and death metal. It has its moments, though, and at times the music takes a nice technical turn, or comes up with a cool headbanging riff, or descends into atmospheric gothic/black ala mid-90's Rotting Christ; there are also some ultra brutal death metal passages.
Devils In Renewed Birth Full-length, 2007 Official Site RATOS DE PORĂO (BRAZIL)
Although this band boast one of the longest running careers on the Brazilian metal scene, it's the albums
featured here that are of importance to thrash metal. The band's hardcore past is obvious on "Dirty And
Aggressive", but "Brazil" smashes everything in its way with its uncompromising, hard-hitting thrash and
short, straight-in-your-face tracks. "Anarkophobia" is another very strong release, with a more serious song-
writing, but with the same magnificent, take-no-prisoners attitude. Their next work is less thrashy, paving the way for the return to a more hardcore-based sound.
Cada Dia Mais Sujo e Agressivo / Dirty and Aggressive Full-length, 1987 Official Site RATZINGER (CHILE)
This is typical groovy thrash, the way it used to be played in the 90's; if you like mid-period Prong ("Beg to Differ", above all) and the last two Accuser works, there's no way you won't like this. There's a few moshing parts in the vein of Pantera and Machine Head, but mostly this is minimalistic music, with little variety offered.
Under Attack EP, 2005 Official Site RATZKRIEG (USA)
This band really deserve to be more known, because their only demo is a good example of an early thrash/death
blend. The style draws comparisons to Benediction, but the British band haven't been founded at that time yet. The vocals are also similar to Dave Ingram's. In the slower parts one could hear shades of the other British death metal giants- Bolt Thrower. So what is this band doing here? Like I already wrote, this is not entirely death metal; songs like "Retribution" and "A New World" carry the Slayer-esque thrash spirit pretty well. A very rare item, but well worth the time to track down.
Black Reality Demo, 1989 RAVAGE (GERMANY)
A very nice fusion of death and thrash metal with quite technical and fast guitar work at times. There are two vocal styles on these albums: one is low death growl, the other is higher-pitched snarl close to Kelly Shaefer from Atheist. Music- wise the band are similar to Defleshed or Thanatos (more technical than the former, and less technical than the latter); a very promising young band. "Infernal Devastation" is more thrash/death metal-based, with more frequent brutal outbursts (parts from "Infinite Hate", "Execution Call" and elsewhere), whereas "Get Fucking Slaughtered" clings more towards thrash metal, with nods to Destruction in the guitar department. The songs are short, direct, speedy smashers, except for "Blazing Chaos", which is longer, and more complex.
Infernal Devastation Full-length, 2003 Official Site RAVEN BITCH (USA)
American power metal meets thrash; the style is similar to a more aggressive Attacker.
Raging Death vol. 1 Split album, 1987
On They Slay Demo, 1987
Hell Hath No Mercy Demo, 1987
Las Damas de Salem Full-length, 1992
Demencia Extrema Full-length, 1996
Ammonites' Knights' Nights Single, 2006
Led to the Gallows Demo, 1986
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
"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 some 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 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", "Betweeen 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 aggressive, early period.
Execution Guaranteed Full-length, 1987
Perfect Man Full-length, 1988
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 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
Intersection Full-length, 1995
Evolution, Devolution, Revolution Full-length, 1998
Nude Full-length, 2003
Planet Earth EP, 2005
Thrashin' Undead Full-length, 2004
Demo 2 Demo, 2003
"Burst Under Pressure" sees the band having grasped the groovy tendencies much tighter, follwing on the steps of early Machine Head and Pantera closely. Some successful attempts at stoner/doom ala Down can one hear as well ("Eyes For An Eye"), as well as a very good thrashing up-tempo closer ("A Song For Me").
Burst Under Pressure Full-length, 2008
Brasil / Brazil Full-length, 1989
Anarkophobia Full-length, 1990
Just Another Crime in Massacreland Full-length, 1993
State Enemy Full-length, 2007
Get Fucking Slaughtered Full-length, 2005