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 VACANT GRAVE (USA)
This band offer very cool thrash metal akin to Funeral Nation and Revenant (in the more technical parts). The music is aggressive and quite fast, bashing with full force at times, but leaves room for some more technical exploits: the jumpy hectic "Room For 1 More", which comes served with nice, but short leads; the excellent mid-paced instrumental "Graven Scripture", which is the most melodic (except for the wild frantic ending), but one of the best tracks. "Killer Instinct" starts as a ballad, and keeps it going for about 2-min, but after that the guys turn it into a stylish intense death/thrasher, with another cool lead guitar work. "Supernatural Force" is also worth mentioning, which uses the main theme from the cult horror film "Halloween" in the beginning, but later evolves into a more aggressive thrasher, accompanied by a cool melodic section. The performance on the whole album is actually above average, and even the more ordinary immediate tracks come with interesting riffs and tempo changes: check out the last two jumpy, semi-chaotic numbers "Evil deceiver" and "Vacant Grave". The band looked well set to give the fashionable at the time thrash/death mixture the desirable technical twist, but like Revenant they didn't last beyond the obligatory full-length debut.
Eternal Nightmare EP, 1989 My Space VAE VICTUS (CANADA)
Aggressive fast thrash which bears resemblances to Slayer's "Reign in Blood" and Dark Angel's "Darkness Descends", but the songs here are longer, and at least the leads are more proficient. The problem is with the fuzzy guitar sound, which partially decreases the impact from this otherwise very hard-hitting music. The vocals are quite good, sounding like a cleaner, and a higher-pitched version of Tom Araya, with a pinch of Russ Anderson (Forbidden).
Demo Demo, 1987 VALKYRIA (RUSSIA)
The band's self titled debut is outstanding progressive thrash, rubbing shoulders with Living Death's "Protected From Reality" and Mekong Delta. The very first riffs from the opener "Ravens" will prepare you for a classical music-inspired guitar wizardry, combined with fast, sharp riffage. The tempos stray into all directions, with some parts seeming discordant and too chaotic, also infused with keyboards, which are a bit overused at times; this touch and some fast sections will draw comparisons with the 90's power/speed metal scene, but just when the listener starts to get a bit disappointed, comes a brilliant complex technical passage to save the day. The music is fast-paced, with quite a few straight headbanging moments, and some really aggressive riffs: the instrumental "Valkyria". The singer plays a secondary role here, and his mid-ranged, levelled tone is not really exceptional, making him sound like Wolfgang Borgmann (the first Mekong Delta singer).
Valkyria Full-length, 1993 My Space VALKYRIE (USA, NJ)
American power metal meets thrash. The American metal scene was full of similar demos back in the 80's: good, energetic music along the lines of Savage Grace, Attacker, early Helstar, etc. with good, proficient solos and catchy, sing-along choruses.
Past, Present,... Demo, 1990 VALKYRIE (USA, TX)
A really good 3-song demo of blistering speed/thrash recalling Viking's "Man of Straw", and Helstar's "Distant Thunder" (please note that this demo precedes both albums with a few years). This is great headbanging music, quite fast, and even technical at times, with vocals which reach for the high notes quite often in a way not too dissimilar to Larry Portelli (Blessed Death). "Reign of Violence" starts with a very popular theme which I still have problems recalling.
Choosers of the Slain Demo, 1986 VALUME NOB (USA)
Based on "Residue And Bones": an interesting but melodic mix of thrash/crossover with a groovy vibe, and stoner/doom; the music resembles a more thrashy version of Phil Anselmo's Down. The bad news is that it stays closer to the doom side, and consequently doesn't create an enjoyable, headbanging atmosphere for the thrash fan. Don't get misled by the title of the song "Brutal Attack": this is the softest track here, being some insipid doomy blues; the rest is just a little bit better.
The Most High EP, 2004 Official Site VAMPIRE (GERMANY)
Melodic modern thrash/death, mostly mid-paced, with a gothic shade, occasionally blasting out (parts from "Ballad of the Two-Faced", which has nothing to do with the ballad genre).
Crimson Dominion Demo, 1998 VARGA (CANADA)
On "Prototype" the band play modern, groovy thrash with industrial touches along the lines of later period Skrew, or Prong; not anything special, with some passages which have nothing to do with metal, let alone thrash. "Oxygen" takes a turn miles away from the thrash metal genre.
Prototype Full-length, 1993 VASTATOR (CHILE)
Vastator mix traditional metal with some excellent speed/thrash, similar to Agent Steel's "Skertic Apocalypse". The bass work is particularly striking- this guy is one of the finest bass players in the world right now. "Guia Para Odiar a Tu Projimo" is actually a compilation of the band's older material, consisting of demos mostly, and reveals fine speed/thrash, with direct mighty sharp riffs, quite fast-paced, and a singer who sings gruffly, semi-cleanly most of the time, recalling Mark Shelton from Manilla Road, but when he screams, he easily reaches John Cyriis, although this doesn't happen very often. Some of the longer tracks have their quiet, slower sections, but the predominant sound is quite intense, spiced by some more melodic hooks and magnificent bass support.
Guia Para Odiar a Tu Projimo, Antologia 1988-1998 Full-length, 1999 Official Site VECTOM (GERMANY)
"Speed Revolution" will hardly cause a speed revolution, but is a fine slab of the mentioned in the title style. All songs impersonate the genre very well, and this album, along with the early works of Helloween and the Germans Warrant's debut EP, have done a lot to establish speed metal on the European metal scene. Vectom's style is more simplistic and direct, with a clear nod to thrash, and unlike the other two aforementioned acts, they never break the speedy pattern, adding slower, mid-paced numbers. Variety is hardly the key-word, when talking about this album, but this is a good headbanging fun all the way.
Speed Revolution Full-length, 1985 Vibrations of Doom VELLOCET (GERMANY)
A blend of hardcore and thrash from the early days of the German thrash metal scene; far less impressive than quite a few of their contemporaries. Their second album has nothing to do with thrash, being melodic heavy/power metal.
Captive of Reality Full-length, 1986 Vibrations of Doom VELOCET (ARGENTINA)
Cool power/thrash with a classic edge. The album is a cool mix of heavy, slower and speedy songs, featuring a nice ballad as well ("Almas Negras"). The shorter tracks are direct, intense all-out thrashers ("Autoeliminación", "Como el Tirge"), whereas the longer ones are more laidback, but still deliver the goods, with hard riffs and some cool melodic hooks.
Cuando La Oscuridad Reine Full-length, 1999 Fan Site VENDETTA (FINLAND)
Early speed/thrash metal along the lines of Vectom and Exciter, with a classic heavy metal number at the end- "Search In The Darkness".
Search In The Darkness EP, 1986 Vibrations of Doom VENDETTA (GERMANY)
These guys have done a very good job on both their albums and have even managed to sound more original than many of their "colleagues" despite the relative lack of popularity and success achieved by other, less deserving acts. The debut is a sure-handed affair, which actually brought the Bay-Area sound to Germany. "Suicidal Lunacy" is a very strong opener, with its both speedy and pounding guitars, and the genuine semi-technical edge. The band combine more, immediate, shorter songs ("Go And Live... Stay And Die") with some complex, longer ones ("Drugs And Corruption"), which are the lesser side, since their length doesn't match the not very technical, and slightly repetitive nature of the guitar work involved. Fortunately, they're not too many, and the hard-hitting riffage will win anyone in the end.
Go And Live... Stay And Die Full-length, 1987 Official Site VENGEANCE (POLAND)
A small (pun intended) demo of 4 tracks of badly produced, mostly mid to up-tempo thrash in the Slayer vein.
Small Thrash Demo, 1988 VENGEANCE (USA, CA)
Quite a good blend of speed, power and thrash, with a bit more aggressive vocals than the ones you might be accustomed to, close to the ones used by Tony Portaro on the first two Whiplash albums. There is a hardcore joke ("Salvation"), too. The style is actually not miles away from Whiplash, mixed with some heavier parts ala early Venom.
Demo Demo, 1987 VENGEANCE RISING (USA)
A Christian thrash metal band. The band's singer Roger Martinez gives the music death metal aura with his growls, and at times the sound also moves towards the death metal side, especially on the first two full-lengths which are also the better ones. "Desruction Comes" is a bit disappointing wiht its sterile sound and mechanic feel, and the last one moves towards very fast and aggressive thrash/death.
Human Sacrifice Full-length, 1988 My Space VENGEFUL GHOUL (TURKEY)
This new Turkish band offer mid-paced power/thrash with a classic vibe, and a singer, who is also a member of another good Turkish thrash metal act: Electrocute (he both sings and plays the guitar there, whereas on this one he feels comfortable enough just handling the mike), whose delivery recalls Schmier, maybe a bit more throaty. One of the guitarists is a girl, something not very common among the metal fraternity. "Ruinous" breaks the monotony with more intense riffage, and stylish Oriental leads, and remains the best song here.
Premier Fury Demo, 2006 My Space VENOM (UK)
The fathers of black metal. Venom's sound is characterized by simplistic, basic riffs along the lines of Motorhead. Their real thrash days start with "Calm Before The Storm", and although it is a pretty decent entry, after Cronos' departure, the band drop the ball, and the subsequent three albums are just average at best. In 1997, with the old line-up back together, things have improved considerably, and this is arguably the band's best period music-wise. All three albums are very good power/thrashers, with forceful songs and a heavy, old school sound.
Welcome to Hell Full-length, 1981 Official Site VERBAL ABUSE (USA)
The band started as a pure hardcore band on their first two works before switching to the more fashionable thrash metal later, but retaining their hardcore roots to a certain extent. This is probably the reason why some thrash fans might find their style not too appealing.
Just An American Band Full-length, 1983 My Space VERDICT (GERMANY)
"Reflections of Pain" offers modern death/thrash metal with some occasional nods to the past; professionally done, but merges with many other similar works. "Generation: Genocide" is by all means the better achievement, with much better and tighter guitar work, faster tempo, which doesn't change much, but creates a steady, monolithic impression. It introduces quite a few classic metal elements, and some tracks carry the fine Death-spirit, coming with good technical riffs ("Confession").
Reflections of Pain Full-length, 2002 Official Site VERDICT DENIED (GREECE)
Excellent technical thrash which will remind you of Scariot's last two releases and the one-album wonder from Australia Bezerker. Great melodies with echoes from Crimson Glory's finest hours, are intertwined with fine technical riffs to raise high hopes for this band's debut full-length which is coming soon.
Promo 2005 Demo, 2005 Official Site VERISMO (USA)
This fresh new trio enters the scene with a somewhat confusing "marriage" of several styles on their debut: traditional metal, 90's groovy thrash and thrash/crossover. At times this mix works, but often falls flat with the band trying to put all the listed styles into one song creating a kind of disjointed feeling, whereas a concentration on less variety might bring better results. There's certainly a potential here; it just needs to be expressed in a more coherent and less chaotic way.
City of Kings Full-length, 2007 Official Site VERITATE (SWEDEN)
Based on the "Medical Miracles" demo: this band use a cool touch in the beginning, with the short "The Moonlight Sonata" intro, accompanied by a somewhat clumsy narrative. What follows suit is an effective, albeit uneven mix of doom, power and thrash (which is a loose definition here), with certain progressive ovetones. The singer has a less operatic, but quite cool, dramatic delivery, recalling the dark wave vocals, seldom adhering to some sinister, growling tones. The compositions are long, "courting" doom metal most, but the guitar work is heavy and sharp, reminding of Candlemass" "Nightfall". Nice Oriental melodies and some background keyboards are also included. As a whole this is a work which will please the doom fans above all.
Exploitation of Human Disturbance Demo, 2004 Official Site VERS'OVER (BRAZIL)
Based on "House of Bones": not bad power/thrash with some progressive overtones. The opening "Prologue" will not raise your hopes very high, being pretty traditional speed/power metal number, but what follows is better. Of course, mixtures like that go along with cheesy moments, like acoustic sections, balladic breaks, sing-along choruses, but there are several thrashy pieces thrown in for good measure: the stomping heavy "Ruins Of Memory" and the excellent album closer "Dead Hour and Twelve Minutes" which with its galloping rhythm will remind you of Deadly Blessing, Attacker, Helstar, etc.
Love, Hate & Everything in Between Full-length, 2000 VESEN (NORWAY)
If we exclude the ugly album title, what we'll be left with is cool black/thrash metal, quite aggressive, sounding like Absu's "Tara", or if you can imagine a more vicious version of the Japanese trend in the genre (Sabbat, Barbatos, Abigail).
Ugly Full-length, 2005 Official Site VEX (USA)
The band's style is similar to Bolt Thrower and Benediction, with a certain doze of thrash and some more traditional melodic death metal passages.
Sphereith Demo, 2002 Official Site VEXED (ITALY)
Fast thrash/black metal of the raw, simple type. Quite enjoyable, by the way; reminds of Razor: their better days, and Slayer's "Show No Mercy". In every full-length the band include a cover version of their idols- Slayer ("Black Magic"), Sodom ("Blasphemer"), Destruction ("Total Desaster"), Kreator ("Pleasure To Kill").
Abyss Of Agony EP, 1999 Official Site VICE (USA)
Hardcore-ish thrash recalling Carnivore's debut which surprisingly picks up speed in the middle ("Skies of Fallen") which immediately brings to mind Exciter and Dark Angel's debut. "Sweet Suicide", on the other hand, introduces some power metal, but is a clumsy and unconvincing closer to this not very impressive demo.
Demo Demo, 1986 VICIOUS CIRCLE (USA)
Based on "The Art Of Agony", this is a very aggressive mixture of death and thrash metal, quite brutal at times. The tempo is very fast most of the time with almost no changes to make things interesting; only for the extremists.
Cryptic Void Full-length, 1993 Official Site VICIOUS CRUSADE (BELARUS)
A band who manage to combine folk, thrash, black, and death metal together. On the vocal side we have another combination: of rough, semi-death vocals and female, operatic ones. There is a use of instruments like violins, bagpipes, etc. It's hard to point at the most thrashy release- probably "The Unbroken", although it's also quite diverse and folk-ish. The wide variety of styles displayed by Vicious Crusade might not appeal to every thrash metal fan.
Life That Kills Full-length, 1996 Official Site VICTIM YIELD (MACEDONIA)
A very good thrash/death metal band coming from a country which doesn't have many traditions in this field, but this doesn't seem to be a problem for the appearance of quality acts like this. The sound is rooted in the late 80's-early 90's, "accompanied" by a double vocal attack: one of the more hysterical, Jeff Walker-like type, the other being low death metal grunts, not too far from Chris Barnes himself. The music, however, is closer to thrash with nice tempo changes (from slower to mid-paced, to fast) without going into blast beat extremes.
Sentenced To Live Demo, 2005 Official Site VICTIMIZER (DENMARK)
Vintage old school speed/thrash akin to early Destruction, Sodom and Cranium; good stuff featuring two covers: Motorhead's "Ace Of Spades" (but of course!) and Nunslaughter's "In The Graveyard".
Communist Crusher EP, 2003 Official Site VIGILANT (HOLLAND)
Based on the "Dramatic Surge" demo, these guys could have found a place under the thrash metal sun easily. Their style fits nicely between the more pounding sharp music of Mandator's "Perfect Progeny" and the sophisticated, intelligent technical thrash of Usurper (Holland). The music is fast-paced without moving into more aggressive waters, despite the clear death metal-ish vocals, recalling Martin Van Drunen's shouts on the first two Pestilence albums. Only three songs (the last one is actually a very good instrumental) provide you with a non-stop riffest which many full-length albums would find hard to match.
Life Or Death Full-length, 1990
Like most of the Russian bands at that time, they got lost, and were back 9 years later with a shocking industrial, Rammstein-like sound (apparently the guys were thinking carefully about their fans during that time as to what musical direction to follow- pun intended, the album title: "Thinkng of You"). For the enormous relief to the metal world, "Mystical Mass" is a glorious return to the magnificent progressive thrash of the debut. It is actually a remastered version of the debut to a point that some tracks you might find hard to recognize, because they come with a better production, and tighter musicianship.
"Popolni Riadu" is a more aggressive, thrashy version of "Thinking of You"; no traces of progressive thrash; apparently the re-release of the debut was made just to add some effortless cash to the guys' pockets, but not intended as a warming up for another progressive thrash opus. The industrial metal fans will be delighted once again, and even the thrash metal ones might find something to like, since the guitars are quite sharp, and the tempo is quite dynamic, but it's obvious that the band have already moved on, with no intentions to open pages long since closed.
Thinking of You Full-length, 2002
Mystical Mass Full-length, 2005
Popolni Riadu Full-length, 2008
Residue And Bones Full-length, 2006
Oxygen Full-length, 1995
"The Night of San Juan" is more varied and considerably slower, with some songs carrying a certain epic element, recalling, again, mid-period Manilla Road, and the concentration is not as much on speed anymore. The riffs are heavy, thrashy, but the lack of more energy makes them sound a bit forced. "Mongolian Mea" is a cool reminder of the debut, but there are not too many of the kind; the other attempt in this vein: "Avenger", is more of a nod to the 90's power/speed metal scene.
The Night of San Juan Full-length, 2001
"Rules of Mystery", from a thrash metal point of view, is the lesser work; the speed is by all means here, but the guitar sound has become more proficient, and some nice melodic hooks can be heard here and there, plus improved bass performance. The style now resembles Helloween quite a bit, and "Why Am I Alive" finally pauses for a break, being a heavy/power metal number, not even half as fast as the rest of the songs. This is not too bad, by the way, since here there are definitely more diverse, interesting songs, like the excellent "Feelings of Freedom", which is a nice blend of pounding, up-tempo riffage and very fast-paced one. When "Elixir or Death" comes with a more melodic, and slower guitar sound, one can't help, but frown a bit, since the obligatory solitary deviation has already been introduced, and now a second one of the kind would diminish the impact; a situation, saved by the great speed/thrashing "Caught by Insanity" and "Evil Run". The guys looked well set to join the forefront of the speed/thrash metal movement in Europe, but this remained their last legacy to the metal world.
Rules of Mystery Full-length, 1986
Welcome to Dimension Four Full-length, 1988
"Brain Damage" shows the band in a really inspired form once again, but within a short space of time the guys have managed to grow as musicians: the guitar sound is more technical, and the bass work is much more impressive. Separate songs are quite good: the small semi-technical speed/thrashers "Brain Damage" and "Conversation"; the brilliant heavy semi-ballad (too many semi's-pun intended!) "Precious Existence", which rivals any achievement in this field, including the much-vaunted Testament ballads; the great technical instrumental "Fade To Insanity": a smashing mixture of swirling leads and sharp riffs, started with an awesome bass performance: a variation of the Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". After it anything else would sound plain, but the two remaining tracks are quite good, the closing "Metal Law" being a really good small speed/thrash number. The band seemingly had something more up their sleeve, in the technical department, and their untimely disappearance prevented them from making a more lasting impact on the scene.
A short, 3-track demo released in 2003 suggested that something was in the makings in their camp, but it took four long years before it saw the light of day. "Hate" sticks out of the recent old veterans' reunions, being vintage old school thrash metal. Cool modern "updates" ala Annihilator could be heard ("Hannibal, "Rise For Revolution") in the guitar work, but the Metallica-influenced sound which was the base for their early works (the debut, more particularly), is pretty much intact. All songs are nice thrashers, with the possible exception of "Prepare Your Self For Hostility" which is a slower, groovy number.
Brain Damage Full-length, 1988
Hate Full-Length, 2007
Once Dead Full-length, 1990
Destruction Comes Full-length, 1991
Released Upon The Earth Full-length, 1992
Black Metal Full-length, 1982
At War with Satan Full-length, 1983
American Assault EP, 1985
French Assault EP, 1985
Hell at Hammersmith EP, 1985
Japanese Assault EP, 1985
Nightmare EP, 1985
Canadian Assault EP, 1985
Scandinavian Assault EP, 1986
German Assault EP, 1987
Calm Before the Storm Full-length, 1987
Prime Evil Full-length, 1988
Tear Your Soul Apart EP, 1990
Temples of Ice Full-length, 1991
The Waste Lands Full-length, 1992
Venom '96 EP, 1996
Cast in Stone Full-length, 1997
Resurrection Full-length, 2000
Metal Black Full-length, 2006
Rocks Your Liver Full-length, 1986
Passport - Verbal Abuse of America Live album, 1990
Red, White and Violent Full-length, 1995
Generation: Genocide Full-length, 2005
Promo 2006 Demo, 2006
Medical Miracles Demo, 2006
House of Bones Full-length, 2003
Built Perspectives EP, 2005
Blood Upon The Void EP, 2000
Endless Armageddon Full-length, 2001
Nightmare Holocaust Full-length, 2003
Destruction Warfare Full-length, 2004
Hellblast Extinction Full-length, 2006
Live Long And Suffer EP, 1997
The Art of Agony Full-length, 2004
Faces Of Vice EP, 1997
The Unbroken Full-length, 1999
Messiah... Isn't it Me? EP, 2001
Forbidden Tunes Full-length, 2002
Voice of Consciousness Demo, 2005
Rapid Thrashing Violence EP, 2007