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 more up-tempo elements, makes this album a really tiring affair.
Hand That Feeds Full-length, 2003 My Space UHF (FRANCE)
A very badly-sounding, and generally an amateurish effort of fast brutal thrash with proto-death merits, but the awful sound leaves nothing to be heard from the vocals and from the bass also giving the guitars a screechy thin sound, and the suspicions are immediately for a one-man-show who may be drunk or stoned, or maybe just learning how to play half a dozen instruments simultaneously.
Demo Demo, 1985 UIGG (CANADA)
Black/thrash of the fast aggressive type; the music is all-out retro thrash metal for most of the time, if we exclude the couple of more intense blasting parts, and overall the delivery is not too distant from Deathwitch or Desaster. "Sadistic Reprisal" is a stylish minimalistic mid-paced stomper with a few technical leanings, amd although the other songs are all faster, each one has at least one slower pounding section. The last "The Harbinger" is 13-min long, and apart from the intense classic thrash riffs one can enjoy (surely depends on the taste) a 5-min quiet atmospheric mid-break and a much shorter furious black metal passage, to which the vicious raspy black metal vocals suit better. Half of the line-up also takes part in the more aggressive death/thrash metal outfit Church.
To Punish and Enslave Full-length, 2008 Official Site ULTIMATUM (AUSTRALIA)
Based on the "Let The Missiles Fly" demo, this band richly deserves to be better known: this is quite a unique style, which is mid-paced, occasionally up-tempo ("Seryer") with a dark, haunting quality, quite atmospheric at times with slow, doomy breaks and stylish semi-technical guitars. There is a Mercyful Fate-like dramatism involved 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 on display here.
Let The Missiles Fly Demo, 1990 ULTIMATUM (CANADA)
A very unknown, but decent effort of diverse retro thrash which goes from clever, semi-technical pieces ("Deserved Fate") to sprawling, maybe a bit unfocused longer ones (the slow dragging "The Iron Age"; the more successful and up-tempo "The Siege of Caffa"; the good, semi-balladic closer "The Prime Abaser"), to furious thrashers ("Left Of Center"). "Soul Progression" is a nice short, 2-min lead instrumental, showing the lead guitarist in top form, and it's sad that he never performs as great on the other material; well, the leads on the nice stomping "The Executioner's Song" are also quite good.
The Iron Age Full-Length, 1995 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 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 a dull space/progressive rock act, but a full-blooded technical thrash outfit at its early 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 the 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 are a very good example that thrash metal seldom comes any better than during its very first days.
Terrorist Attack Demo, 1985 Official Site UNBORN (POLAND)
An early, quite brutal thrash/death metal hybrid, another decent addition to the very extreme Polish underground, which literally gave birth to the death metal movement in Europe in the late 80's with its numerous similar practitioners of very aggressive and fast music. The tracks begin in a more laid-back thrashy fashion, but later develop into cacophonous blasting experiences, where death metal and grindcore shake hands more than now and then. Not "unborn", but the exact opposite: from small obscure demos like that death metal was born...
Unbirthday Demo, 1990 UNBORN (UK)
Based on the "Truth Against the World" EP, this band comes up with 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 UNBREAKABLE (NORWAY)
Modern thrash, spiced with a couple of more classic thrash/crossover moments, but rest assured that they will be fully compensated by the obligatory groovy interceptions. Still, when the guys thrash they know well what they're doing ("Persistence"), and this happens on at least half of the tracks (the EP is whole 8 songs long).
Strength Through Adversity EP, 2009 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), 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" (so you can see how within the span of 20 years people, from "jumping in the fire", have started to "eat" it), 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 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 radically different. The debut is an intense, albeit a fairly enjoyable listen, starting with the explosive slab of aggression "Weirdo Man", and the slightly more controlled "The Ugly Dude". "Judgement Day" calms "the ball" down, sounding like a more aggressive Exciter, but "Micro Logic" retuns to the higher speed, and "Contaminated" pretty much hits the top reaching an almost Wehrmacht-like hyper-speed insanity. After this exhausting track the rest sounds quite mild, staying on the edge between thrash and crossover in an energetic up-tempo providing the casual "break" from the pattern: the slower funky "Eve of the End" near the ned. The singer Todd Moyer is just the perfect fit for this music with his powerful delivery ala Mike Muir and a more vicious Lemmy.
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 a few 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 chaotic hectic moments included, even recalling Morbid Angel, and really cool leads, not very typical for such style.
Uncelestial EP, 2004 My Space UNDAMAGED (PUERTO RICO)
This demo reveals an act faithful to the forceful sound of Sacred Reich's "Ignorance" so we have fast-paced straight thrash with shades of hardcore, and vocals which are very close to the ones of Phil Rind (Sacred Reich again), mixed with a more vicious pitch ala Max Cavalera at times.
Die Before Seeing The Light Demo, 1991 UNDEAD (CHILE)
Chilean teenagers are responsible for this 4-track demo of raw energetic slab of retro thrash with a very poor sound quality which puts the deafening drums too much forward. Otherwise the guitarists try their best to come upfront, to produce something resembling the early practitioners from their neighbours Brazil (the early efforts of Sepultura, Dorsal Atlantica, Holocausto, etc.). The leads are not bad, and with a better sound quality would make a bigger impact. The singer delivers an aggressive semi-declamatory tember, except for the times when he plainly shouts apparently intent on stifling the noisy drums. Well, it's still a rehearsal, after all...
The End Arrives - Rehearsal Demo, 2008 Official Site 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 UNDERFLOW (POLAND)
Based on the 1st demo, these guys play pleasant melodic thrashy gothic, atmospheric and mid-tempo, quite close to Sentenced circa the "Amok" era. The guitar work evolves around melodic hooks, killing the little sharpness the riffs have, although the latter break loose from the "prison" on the final "Extinguish", which jumps straight on the steam-rolling Bolt Thrower war/death metal wagon.
Demo Demo, 2003 Official Site 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 elements from doom, death and even classic heavy metal ala Angel Witch also present.
Triumphant Battles Full-length, 2000 Fan Site UNDERNEATH (CHILE)
These talented Chileans come up with a fairly interesting and listenable blend of thrash and gothic/doom ala mid-period Paradise Lost. Mixtures like this tend to favour the slower side of it, and this one is no exception, but intense riffage, like on "Haunting Myself" or "Fragmented" could easily beat even the most dedicated to the thrash metal genre acts. The guitars on the faster tracks have this genuine technical edge, and one would wish these moments were more. "Cold Embraces" is probably the highlight: a very cool stomping thrasher, again with the technical guitars taking the upper hand here and there. "Deprived" and "A Dreadful Garden Of Loathe" are not too far behind: atmospheric, heavy combinations of thrash and doom. "Fragmentado" is another great number with a few smashing technical breaks, mixed with hammering, doomy riffs. The closing "Voluntad Marchita" is a nice galloping speed/thrashing number, interrupted by dreamy atmospheric passages. Mixtures of the kind are not a very common phenomenon on the scene, and it's really good to hear such a professionally done one, making those two contrasting style co-exist so well.
Perceptions Full-length, 2005 UNDERNEATH THE GUN (USA)
Based on "Forfeit Misfortunes", this is typical modern thrash/death metal with a dual vocal attack (no clean singing, fortunately: both styles are quite vicious), good Gothenburg melodies, solid lead guitar performance, and nice technical touches ("Looking Deep Into Shallow Water") which, alas, remain unfinished. The songs are not very long, energetic, up-tempo, with the occasional slower breaks which sometimes smell metalcore ("Rising Words").
You Prepare the Bodies, I'll Get the Ice EP, 2006 My Space UNDERTAKING (HUNGARY)
A truly impressive demo which combines the speed aesthetics of the Exumer, Toxic Shock and Iron Angel debuts with great more 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" opting for more straight, bashing sound without any technical decorations. This is probably the best piece of thrash metal the Hungarian metal scene has ever produced.
V12BB4U Demo, 1989 UNDERTOW (GERMANY)
Based on "Don't Pray To The Ashes", this band plays modern post-thrash with metalcore and gothic elements. Diverse stuff as a whole clinging more towards the gothic side which kills the few edgy riffs inserted.
Slope Full-length, 1997 Official Site 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 a good blend of power, thrash and doom metal. This is heavy music, which has certain shades of Iced Earth and the Nasty Savage 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 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 UNFOLD
Modern alternative post-thrash, sounding like a more aggressive Tool, but clumsier and less adventurous, clinging too much towards the ballad. Still some riffs weigh, but this is the time when the sound comes close to doom.
Eleventh Full-length, 2009 UNHOLIER (MEXICO)
Based on the first demo, this band pulls out dark depressing thrash/death mixing in a very drastic way very fast blasting sections with veery slow, almost funeral doom-like, ones. The latter work better, because the guitars on them can be heard more clearly, and also suit better the low-tuned agonizing vocals.
La Ronde Du Sabbath Demo, 1991 My Space UNHOLY (USA)
This band come up with energetic, but derivative thrash/death metal 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 slower, softer songs ("Beyond the Shroud", "Past This Flame").
Blood of the Medusa Full-Length, 2007 My Space UNHOLY (SWEDEN)
The guitarist from the gothic/doomsters Left Hand Solution Janne Wiklund had pulled the strings harder earlier for this short-lived act who offer an energetic, and occasionally more brutal blend of thrash and death metal not far from the efforts of their compatriots Unleashed or early Cemetary. The bad thing is that the guys try to make their sound more appealing to the 90's crowds by adding groovy elements, and ruin things quite a bit. On top of that some of the most unrehearsed, hoarse hardcore vocals may you encounter here as well.
Metal North Split, 1993 UNHOLY FORCE (CHILE)
Based on the split with the "unholy" black/thrash warriors Miserycore, these guys provide a similar relentless speedy entertainment, very fast black/thrash with very few pauses along the way. The music skills here are not as proficient as the ones of the other band, and there is at least one place where the band shows a little mercy, but just a little: "Sacrifice", which is more laid-back stuff with nods to the Japanese school (Abigail, Sabbat, etc.). "Desatando La Ira Del Infierno" switches at some point to melodic Swedish death metal, and also has a cool epic black/thrash middle passage, but the blasting sections ruin the rest.
Unholy Attack Of Satanic Force Demo, 2008 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 a 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 metal. "(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 cool album, but at this point the thrash metal 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 spices things up with very strong bass work and heavy technical riffs. The tempo nicely flows from stomping parts to 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 contrasting clean vocals strangely recalling Mike Patton from Faith No More.
Thin Line Emotions Full-Length,1999 UNKNOWN DARKNESS (GERMANY)
Energetic classic/modern thrash/death, not too far from Dew-Scented and another more recent German act: Bitterness; the tracks are up to mid-tempo with both heavy, edgy and melodic riffs taking turns, with "Freedom the End" adding a cool romantic gothic twist in the middle.
New Age Violence EP, 2009 UNLEASHED POWER (DENMARK)
A very good progressive power/thrash metal band; their debut features high quality musicianship 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 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" brings 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 overtly 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
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 nice guitar work.
"Lex Metalis" is the band's tribute to their "teachers" from the past, containing covers only, with a balance between the classic heavy metal( Saxon ("Denim & Leather"), Judas Priest ("Steeler"), Quiet Riot ("Metal Health"), Twisted Sister (Sin After Sin"), Motorhead ("Iron Fist"), Iron Maiden ("Wrathchild")) and the thrash metal school (Metal Church ("Ton of Bricks"), Metallica ("Creepin' Death"), Megadeth ("Motorpsycho"), Vengeance Rising ("Can't Get Out"), Mortification ("Gut Wrench"), Overkill ("Powersurge")). The guys don't aim at any originality, rendering the songs faithfully, the exceptions being "Ton of Bricks", which is a violent brutal thrasher, sounding way more aggressive than the Metal Church original; and "Sin After Sin", here turned into a piece of jolly light-hearted thrash/crossover.
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
Lex Metalis Full-length, 2009
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" contains again nice energetic thrash with a few crossover (never "suicidal") tendencies, plus an interesting thrashy cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed And Confused". The music is brisk Bay-Area thrash clinging between the all-out speed attack of the Forbidden debut and the heavy pounding riffing of Defiance, with probably only "Will Work for Food" betraying the Suicidal ties, with its uplifting jolly riffage. The former by all means leads the pack, leaving the latter playing the role of an occasional support on some tracks ("Cold Fire" is the only song which pounds from beginning to end, and partly the slower doomy closer "It Can Happen").
"When God Dies" doesn't offer as many pleasant surprises anymore provided that the band was one of the few old-timers who proceeded with the old school sound without any compromises. The thrash has been diminished to a big extent, the speed completely gone with it as well, replaced by softer crossover moments and more modern-sounding guitars. The guys try their hands on ballads, funk, doom, and even blues. It still sounded more convincing than the numerous "flops" released that same year, despite its obvious "flirtations" with the 90's trends.
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
The "Mind Flayers" demo has more edge although nothing too fast or aggressive happens, except for a short super-fast grinding section on "Mind Flay II". The music is again mid-paced with gothic overtones, and the singer sings even deeper and more scarily. "Caesars Of Claw" is a nice more dynamic track at the end, again sounding close to the more speedy numbers from Sentenced's "Amok".
Mind Flayers Demo, 2004
Rise of the Ancient Kings Full-length, 2003
The Awakening Full-length, 2006
The Awakening EP, 2008
Forfeit Misfortunes Full-length, 2009
Harm On E Full-length, 1999
Unit E Full-length, 2002
34CE Full-length, 2003
Milgram Full-length, 2006
Don't Pray To The Ashes Full-length, 2010
Revelations of She'Ohl Demo, 1993
New Life Behind Closed Eyes
Abused EP, 1994
Unleashing Hell's Wrath Split, 2009
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 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 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" (which is by no means a Dire Straits cover) 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 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 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 great leads "Return". Some of the band's finest achievements are here: the mighty fast, dry technical "Undersea Suffering" and "Breeding Fear" (which comes 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 have apparently decided to leave some air for the other Japanese acts to breathe, before coming up with something else.
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, however, were fixed 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" saw the band keeping the high level from the predecessor. This EP actually sounds like a smaller version of the preceding album with softer, less technical numbers present (the semi-balladic "Calendar") added, 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, but this remained their last legacy to the metal world.
Mindfailure Full-length, 1997
Absorbed EP, 1999