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 UDK (CHILE)
Groovy thrash, which offers nothing new, but heavy, rehashed riffs, and the refusal of the guys to add some more up-tempo elements, makes this album a really tiring affair.
Hand That Feeds Full-length, 2003 My Space ULTIMATUM (AUSTRALIA)
Based on the "Let The Missiles Fly" demo, this band richly deserve to be better known: this is quite a unique style, which is mid-paced, occasionally up-tempo ("Seryer"), with a dark, haunting quality, quite atmopsheric at times, with slow, doomy breaks and stylish, semi-technical guitars. There is some Mercyful Fate-like dramatism involved, but in a very good way. Another band who practice a similar style, is the American band Dementia, although their music is less varied, and perhaps less interesting than the one here.
Let The Missiles Fly Demo, 1990 ULTIMATUM (USA)
It seems as though the Christian thrash metal scene can not produce a bad band. Ultimatum are another proof to this rule. This is a very good 80's thrash metal band whose style recalls the Bay Area acts, but at the same time it also sounds close to David Wayne's (R.I.P.) Reverend, with a singer who is a dead ringer for Steve Souza from Exodus (and a very good one as such). Their debut is more melodic power/thrash with very catchy, sing-along songs, but the band harden the course on later releases, turning them into one of the better thrash metal works from the American metal scene of the past few years.
Symphonic Extremities Full-length, 1995 My Space ULTIMOS DE CUBA (SPAIN)
Melodic power/thrash metal influenced by Motorhead and Tank. "Un Millón de Ratas" is a good energetic debut, mixing faster-paced numbers ("Sacrilegio", "Oraciones Etilicas") with melodic, heavy metal ones ("El Ultimo Papa", "Jako Mate"). Seldom can one come across some really good galloping, up-tempo power/speed metal tracks ("Hatajo de Carbones"), in the best tradition of Attacker and early Laaz Rockit. "Un Million de Ratas" is a really nice thrasher, the only full-blooded representative of the genre, which comes with the best melodic leads on the album. "El Final", which is... yes, you guessed right, the closer, is the other more aggressive song here, recalling the Metallica debut with its fast lashing riffs.
Un Millón de Ratas Full-length, 1991 Fan Site ULYSSES SIREN (USA)
The name doesn't really serve the band justice, because this is not some dull space/progressive rock, but full-blooded technical thrash at its best. The approach is quite aggressive, without being too fast; it's just that the riffs hit you like a hammer with their steel technical precision; hey, we are not talking very complex stuff here: think Have Mercy (the first demo) and Savage Steel's "Do Or Die" (the second demo). "Terrorist Attack" contains the faster and more immediate material, whereas the 1987 demo excels in guitar performance, and simply crushes. In 1985 how many bands were playing such great technical metal? Not a single one. This band have definitely affected the later works of Helstar, Liege Lord, and even Megadeth, if you like. Ulysses Siren is a very good example that thrash metal seldom comes any better than during its very first days.
Terrorist Attack Demo, 1985 Official Site UNBORN (UK)
Based on the "Truth Against the World" EP, this band come up with quite good Slayer-influenced thrash which is not as aggressive as "Reign in Blood", but is more along the lines of the faster songs from Slayer's heavier period (think "War Ensemble" and "Silent Scream"). This is so much Slayer that if Tom Araya takes over the vocals, you might find it hard to tell the difference; the problem is that the singer has a hysterical, hardcore-ish voice which spoils the impression a bit (but this, of course, depends on the taste). There is a very sparce use of lead guitar, so this is the other difference from the mighty Slayer; most of the time this is pounding riffs which will keep you headbanging for long.
Ancestral Pagan Roots EP, 1996 My Space UNCHECKED AGGRESSION (USA)
Modern power/thrash metal, reminding of the Machine Head releases around the same time ("Supercharger", in particular). It has more aggression (unchecked, I guess- pun intended), probably: the intense opener "Smell Of Blood", the Pantera-sque "Plateau Of Anguish", but this tendency is quickly abandoned for the sake of more catchy, softer riffs, which will also remind you of the Metallica's least impressive period ("Load"< "Reload"): "Sniper", "Eat the Fire", etc. "Heroes" is a cool heavy metal hymn, offering good laid-back riffs, and nice leads.
The Massacre Begins Full-length, 2002 Official Site UNCLE SLAM (USA)
A very cool thrash metal band with ties to Suicidal Tendencies. The music, however, is more thrashy than the one offered by the Suicidals, although it is not too different. Their first two efforts are essential thrash/crossover classics, whereas the last one is milder, straying from the hard-hitting sound of its predecessors. Their second album features a very interesting cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed And Confused".
Say Uncle Full-length, 1988 My Space UNCREATION'S DAWN (FINLAND)
Based on "Lightning Hammer Falls", these guys offer a diverse mix of black, thrash and some purely epic/heavy metal sections. Of course, Destroyer 666 comes to your mind almost immediately, and this is a good reference point. The guitar work of the Finns is probably more technical, with some chaotic hectic moments, even recalling Morbid Angel, and some really cool leads, not very typical for such style.
Uncelestial EP, 2004 My Space UNDER EDEN (USA)
A cool fusion of Swedish-styled death/thrash metal (Carnal Forge, The Crown) and heavy, groovy riffs sounding like a more aggressive version of Pantera.
The Savage Circle Full-length, 2005 My Space UNDERLORD (USA)
Pure old school black/thrash influenced by the old heroes: Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost. The music is simplistic, but quite heavy, and delivers the goods, with some elements from doom, death and even some classic heavy metal ala Angel Witch, also present.
Triumphant Battles Full-length, 2000 Fan Site UNDERTAKING (HUNGARY)
A truly impressive demo which combines the speed aesthetics of the Exumer's, Toxic Shock's and Iron Angel's debuts with some great technical guitar work ala Anacrusis. You will experience swirling leads, numerous tempo changes (the dominant pace is fast), excellent bass performance, and a few superb calm, semi-balladic moments ("The Runner") where the leads will make even Marty Friedman, or Jason Becker, cry. Listening to this demo would probably make you cry, too, regretting the fact that these guys never recorded again. "Badinerie & Mösh" is a marvellous 1.5-min, less serious, fast crossover number where, again, the lead guitars are outstanding. Don't get misled by the song-title "Viva Ceausescu"; this is not an ode to the former Romanian leader: on the contrary, it denounces the whole communist regime, supported by the best performance on the demo from everyone involved. And finally, near the end, the guys give way to their aggression with the only more aggressive track "Cool Before Drinking", going for more straight, bashing sound, without any technical decorations. Probably the best thrash metal band that the Hungarian metal scene ever produced.
V12BB4U Demo, 1989 UNDERULE
Apologies for the insufficient piece of information about this band; this is quite energetic and fast mix of modern and classic thrash, with slight elements of hardcore (mainly coming from the vocal department), and a few more intense, death metal moments. The style is close to Dew-Scented. Although these guys have often been put in the hardcore department, based on this album alone, there's no much ground for that. The music here is much more thrash than the one on the Madball albums- the band to whom they've often been compared to.
Misfortune Comes by Means of the Mouth Full-Length, 2000 UNEARTHED (USA)
This band were formed by ex-members of Iced Earth, assisted by the Nasty Savage bassist Richard Bateman. The music here is quite a good blend of power, thrash and doom metal. This is heavy music, which has certain shades of Iced Earth and Nasty Savage's debut, but the riffs will also remind you of acts offering similar mixtures like the Irish Cursed Earth, the Americans Dementia, or the Canadians Zions Abyss. There are no speedy moments to be found here, except for some very occasional blast beats ("Serpentine", which is a misplaced death metal-tinged track), but this is hardly necessary as the hypnotic, smashing riffs will by all means keep you happy, helped by the good, albeit one-dimensional semi-clean vocals (well, remember early Iced Earth...).
Imposition Of Faith Full-length, 2007 Official Site UNHOLY
This band come up with energetic, but derivative thrash/death of the modern type; so expect nothing very original, just the run-of-the-mill material ala The Haunted, Carnal Forge, Terror 2000, etc., awkwardly spiced by some slower, softer songs ("Beyond the Shroud", "Past This Flame").
Blood of the Medusa Full-Length, 2007 UNITED (JAPAN)
This is one of the oldest Japanese metal bands. Their work from the 80's is classic heavy metal, and has nothing to do with thrash. The first attempt at more aggressive music the band make on "Bloody But Unbowed", which still retains some of their classic heavy metal past, although thrash metal has already taken over. "Sniper" is a sure-handed opener, an up-tempo speed/thrasher, with very good guitar work, recalling Metallica's "Kill'Em All". Then the music takes a heavier and more aggressive turn, with the stomping, semi-technical "Welcome To Amazing World", which is again a nod to Metallica, but their more technical period. This sound remains for a couple of tracks, elevating this album to the forefront of Japanese thrash. "(It's So) Hard To Breathe" returns to the faster, more immediate patterns of the opener, followed by the slower, and more melodic "Take A Bite Of Crime", which is a reminder of where the guys had started a few years ago. "Suck Your Bone" will make you mosh like crazy, but you can have a rest on the closing heavy/power metal hymn "Unavoidable Riot", which doesn't exactly do a good job to finish this very good album, but at this point the thrash fan has already been more than satisfied.
Bloody But Unbowed Full-length, 1990 Official Site UNITED FORCES (GERMANY)
Based on the "The Appearance" demo, these guys pull out great thrash ala Vendetta, Poltergeist, Mandator. The band spice things up with very strong bass work, and some heavy technical riffs. The tempo nicely flows from some stomping parts, to some really energetic ones.
Kill Your Boss Demo, 1987 UNJUST (USA)
Actually this band have been formed in 1990 when the band members were just in their early teens. Having gained experience by touring incessantly around the USA, they finally entered the studio. Reportedly their style in the beginning was classically inclined thrash, but on the official releases the music is pretty modern, heavy thrash ala Pantera, with vocals strangely recalling Mike Patton from Faith No More.
Thin Line Emotions Full-Length,1999 UNLEASHED POWER (DENMARK)
A great progressive power/thrash metal band. Their debut features some great musiciahship and very complex songs, full of tempo changes and cool riffs; the problem is that at times the music loses coherence with the many things happening within one song. The opener "Blindfolded" suggests at the big complexity, with some head-spinning passages, being at the same time intense and headbanging. "The Devour" is slower and not as technical, and could be a sign to some that this might turn into a mixed bag. Not for long, as "Entombed" brngs the back the nice mix of intensity and technicality, concentrating on the latter, with the guys getting carried away a bit. "Quintet Of Spheres" surpasses all expectations, with its monstrous, 13-min length, which is at times truly compelling, at other times over complex and hard to swallow. After it anything else sounds easy and light, and it might be the reason why the remaining tracks might sound too ordinary, which would hardly be a complaint, especially after the closing aggressive thrasher "Unleashed Power" hits you right in the face. The vocal performance is quite good, being clean, melodic, mid-ranged.
Quintet of Spheres Full-length, 1994 Official Site UNPURE (SWEDEN)
Based on "World Demise", this band offer old school black-ish thrash influenced by early Bathory, but mixed with some straight classic heavy metal elements in the vein of Motorhead and Tank. This is enjoyable, not very aggressive music with the vocals being a more vicious, and slightly updated version of Quorthon (R.I.P.).
Unpure Full-length, 1995 Official Site UNSAFE (FRANCE)
Based on the "Human Toxin" demo, this band play groovy thrash, which at times comes with some more energetic riffs- "Last Domination", and some more stylish guitar work, which could be compared to some Meshuggah moments from their early period.
Fake Reality Demo, 2001 Official Site UNSCARED (GERMANY)
Based on the "Mosh Attack" demo, this band play quite good classic speed/thrash, which starts in a great speedy fashion with "Mosh Attack", before taking a more aggressive thrashy approach on "Endless Times". The style is reminiscent of Destruction, Sacrifice, the Brits Hydra Vein, which means that apart from the standard bashing, some nice semi-technical hooks can also be heard. The guys keep a nice, energetic tempo the whole time, with some really fast, aggressive riffs on some tracks ("Friday 13th", "Unscared"). At the end there is a very cool, speedy cover of Metallica's "Hit the Lights". The singer is a bit of a letdown, with his screamy, high-pitched, harsh voice.
Hell is Now Demo, 2003 Official Site UNSEEN TERROR (UK)
Done by two members of Napalm Death within a few days, the band's full length is exactly what you could expect- brutal thrash/hardcore with obvious shades of grind. The production is very bad and flat, leaving no room for the bass to be heard, but the sheer intensity of the music is clearly a plus, and would leave noone indifferent to the proceedings (of course, I have in mind the fans of the more extreme side of thrash, because this music is definitely not for the squeamish).
Human Error Full-length, 1987 Fan Site UPPERCUT (GERMANY)
The band's debut is more death-oriented, from the modern school; the follow-up is a pleasant surprise: heads-down classic thrash, very well done; this is great headbanging, energetic thrash, with some clever guitars thrown in, recalling Holy Moses' "Terminal Terror" on the more technical parts (the stomping "Neighbour In Hell", and the brilliant enrgetic "Dead End"- the highlight of the album). Behind the mike we have a woman, but it would be impossible to tell, because she grunts in a way that would make any death metal singer proud.
Shroud Shifter Full-length, 2001 Official Site URN (FINLAND)
This band were intended as a side project for the Barathrum members, who were about to put an end to their career (there were 8 albums scheduled to be released under the Barthrum name- a long story), and were setting things to move to a more thrash-oriented sound. The debut is aggressive fast blackened thrash, with no traces of the moody atmosphere of the Barathrum works. The music is one-dimensional and all songs merge into one another. "Dawn Of The Devastation" leaves the sheer speed behind, and the sound has moved towards the old masters Venom; tedious, again one-dimensional, but this time mid-tempo black-ish thrash, which might be quite a boring experience. If you want to listen to some high quality black/thrash, then you should check out the guys' other band: Flame, where they have done a much better job.
I Am Your Nightmare EP, 1999 Official Site URTO (ITALY)
The guys have the penchant to write long songs, and if they do that on the demo, imagine what will happen on the full-length! No complaints at all, as the music is simply brilliant reminiscent of Paradox's "Heresy", but with a more technical edge, and better higher-pitched vocals. The tempo is quite energetic, venturing even into few blast beats on the closer which is whole 9-min long, and the sharp riffs will keep you enormously entertained. There is a lot of potential here!
Numbers Demo, 2003 Official Site USELESS
A very obscure band about which very little is known. Otherwise this is standout aggressive thrash, fast and intense, reminiscent of Kreator's "Extreme Aggression" and Paradox's "Heresy". The guitar sound is a bit fuzzy, but the riffs are smashing, with a slight technical edge; the vocals are a find, albeit an acquired taste, very similar to the ones of Torsten Bergmann from Living Death (on the early albums): high-pitched, to the point of shrieking sometimes, but very well fitting to the music.
Demo Demo, 1990 USURPER (HOLLAND)
Classy technical thrash metal; the guys do not rely on too much aggression, but the riffs are quite impressive; stylistically this album will remind you of Target or Destruction's "Cracked Brain". The tempo is quite energetic, and the technical intensity never disappears, and even gets bigger on the faster parts. The guitars flow nicely, without too many complex sections. The lead performance is economical, and not very well presented; this is riff-driven thrash with a big headbanging potential (every song here).
Divine Spiritual And Intellectual Development Full-length, 1990 USURPER (USA)
The band who had "married" the vintage Celtic Frost sound. Their style is more than just a mere Celtic Frost- worship, though. There is a lot of old school thrash as well as death and black metal, especially on the later works. Not revolutionary, but their heavy, crushing sound will warm the hearts of many metal maniacs.
Diabolosis Full-length, 1995 Official Site UTMOST CONTEMPT (GREECE)
A 3-song demo of very technical thrash/death metal, akin to Cynic and Pestilence and Atheist's last efforts. This is multi-layered music which requires the listener's attention; it's not fast, with numerous twists and turns; at times it's almost dream-like, recalling another technical metal band-Scenery from the Czech Republic. It would be a pity if these guys had split without catching any label's attention.
Stranger Skies Inside Demo, 2002 Official Site Copyright (c) 2007 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE
Doomed Youth Demo, 1991
"Into the Pit" is an impressive comeback for the band after a long, 7-year break. The album contains both more melodic numbers ala the debut, and heavier ones along the lines of their more recent outputs. This time there are some faster thrashers which stir up the mood ("Exonerate", "Transgressor"), plus a cool cover version of Iron Maiden's "Wrathchild". "Into the Pit” is a bluesy instrumental with very nice guitar work.
Puppet Of Destruction Full-length, 1998
The Mechanics Of Perilous Times Full-length, 2000
...Til the End! EP, 2006
Into the Pit Full-Length, 2007
Bolsas Negras Full-length, 1993
Demo Demo, 1987
Above The Ashes Best of/Compilation, 2003
Truth Against the World EP, 1997
Will Work for Food Full-length, 1993
When God Dies Full-length, 1995
Lightning Hammer Falls Full-length, 2004
Death's Tyranny Full-length, 2006
Rise of the Ancient Kings Full-length, 2003
On "Human Zoo" the guys take no prisoners, and the style is heads-down thrash, and still remains their best release after all these years, and one of the finest creations of the whole Japanese thrash metal scene. "Violence Jack" is probably the best way to start this album, being a smashing, merciless headbanger. The sharp riffs flow from all sides, but sometimes come "wrapped" in slower song-structures, which bring to mind Exodus' "Fabulous Disaster": "Machinery Days". Inevitably flirtations with the 90's scene "roam" around: "Jungle Land", as well as some thrashy ballads ala Testament: "False Majesty"- a very cool track. The heavy, pounding, more technical sound which was present on the debut, and the expectations were that it would completely overtake here, finally comes with "The Sea Of Silence", but is slightly more modernized. After it some space for more intense thrashing has been preserved ("Can't See The Light"), but this moment is "marred" by the presence of the next tender ballad "Over The Ocean", which simply has no place here. "Brothers In Arms" is a great 9-min opus, showing the band at their technical, complex best; it never speeds up, but the punishing, steam roller sound, and the clever guitar decisions make it a very rewarding experience. It could have perfectly served as a closer, but the final song ("Don't Let Peace Break Out") delivers the good on all counts, providing another doze of mighty, fast-paced thrash.
Later on the band moved closer to the 90's trends, but their works never lost their classic appeal, and "Infectious Hazard" came as no surprise, being first rate full-fledged retro thrash all the way, producing some really impressive headbanging pieces: "Cross Over The Line", "The Ruin Of A Memory", "Sonic Sublime", etc.; a great effort, which did a lot to restore the faith in the classic sound in Japan.
"Core" was a bit of a letdown, with its more conventional, modern thrash direction, but "Nine" was another no-brainer for the classic thrashers, thrashing relentlessly, with even shades of proto-death on the most intense, and best, songs: "Deathtrap", the speed/thrash monster, with some great leads, "Return". Some of the band's finest achievements are here: the mighty fast, dry technical "Undersea Suffering" and "Breeding Fear" (which come served with an unexpected, but utterly coherent psychedelic doom ending): some of the finest moments from the contemporary Japanese music scene; the slower, but equally as technical masterpiece "The System Of Terror"; another exercise in longer heavy, complex thrash, this time a bit more modern sounding: "Tears"; the vicious ball of fury "Welcome To My Pain", which will simply break your neck, spiced with a more lyrical middle section. The band are still alive and well, but apparently leave some air for the other Japanese acts to breathe, before coming up with another smashing release.
Beast Dominates '92 EP, 1992
Human Zoo Full-length, 1992
NO I.Q. Full-length, 1996
Burst EP, 1997
Reload Full-length, 1997
Distorted Vision Full-length, 1999
Infectious Hazard Full-length, 2001
Power Germanys EP, 2002
Core Full-length, 2002
Nothing Without a Fight EP, 2004
Nine Full-length, 2005
The Appearance Demo, 1988
Makeshift Grey Full-Length,2001
Glow Full-Length,2003
All the flaws have been fixed to the utmost perfection on "Mindfailure", which saw the band in a very inspired form, producing a masterpiece, which could only be compared to Coroner's "Mental Vortex". This is heavy, smashing, but also very technical music. The mighty "Gateway To Deadly Sins" will immediately take you in Coroner waters, and will remind you both of "Metamorphosis" and "Divine Step" from "Mental Vortex"- a riff-fest at its most shining best. "What They Don't Know" is the next whirlwind of stupendous technical guitars, followed by the faster, more straight "Mindfailure", which all of a sudden in the middle turns into a tornado of complex riffage for a while. "Cataclysm" is the equivalent of "Quintet of Spheres" from the debut, being a long (almost as long) progressive thrash opus, but much more satisfying, in a very good dynamic tempo all the time, speeding up quite a bit near the end. "Nefarious" recalls again "Mental Vortex" with its incredible stop-and-go approach, and steel technical guitars. "Section Terminal" is not miles away from its brilliance, but relies more on the headbanging side of the genre, and wins, of course, although the guitar work is quite clever and elaborate on some parts. The new singer is an acquired taste, with his gruff, semi-clean delivery, smelling Phil Anselmo at quite a few times.
"Absorbed" showed that the band would show no mercy this time again. This EP actually sounds like a smaller version of the preceding album, with some softer, less technical numbers present (the semi-balladic "Calendar"), as well as quite aggressive, speedy thrashers: "Perpertrator of Dreams", still quite technical, with great leads. The guys have managed to "cope" both with the difficult third release, and the "folllow-up after a very strong release" complex with flying colours, and this remained their last legacy to the metal world.
Mindfailure Full-length, 1997
Absorbed EP, 1999
Coldland Full-length, 1996
Trinity In Black Full-length, 2001
World Collapse Full-length, 2004
Mutation Demo, 2005
Human Toxin Demo, 2006
Mosh Attack Demo, 2004
The Peel Sessions EP, 1989
Reanimation of Hate Full-length, 2004
666 Megatons Full-length, 2001
Dawn Of The Devastation Full-length, 2006
Threshold of the Usurper EP, 1997
Skeletal Season Full-length, 1999
Necronemesis Full-length, 2000
Twilight Dominion Full-length, 2003
Cryptobeast Full-length, 2005