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 W.A.K.O. (PORTUGAL)
A modern mixture of thrash, groove and death metal, sounding somewhere on the road from early Machine Head to Fear Factory.
Symbiotic Existence EP, 2005 My Space W.C.NOISE (PORTUGAL)
Based on the debut, this is cool power/thrash which will remind you of Meliah Rage's "Kill To Survive" and late 80's Overkill. The singer is a bit of a letdown, with his gruff, semi-clean delivery, but the music is definitely on the positive side, with energetic, mid to up-tempo riffs, and a slight shade of crossover ("Godless"). Seldom will the guys surprise you with some more aggressive all-out thrashers: "Nuclear Poo", "You'd Better Shut Up", which comes with great leads, again containing a touch of crossover.
Loud & Mad Full-length, 1992 My Space WACKOR (HUNGARY)
Groovy modern thrash, quite jumpy at times, but there's nothing technical here, maybe some alternative moments ala Rage Against The Machine or Helmet, so don't expect anything heavy and fast.
Lobotomy EP, 2001 Official Site WAKBOTH (FINLAND)
Based on the "Cass.Lp + Demo' 96" demo, we have two styles mixed here, reflecting on two diffrerent periods of the band's career: one is mid-paced, stomping thrash ala Celtic Frost and Slaughter, the other faster, more energetic one, with touches of the modern black metal scene. Both styles work well, although the former comes with a much worse sound quality, and more screamy, hysterical vocals.
Dreamking Demo, 1996 WAR-HEAD (CROATIA)
A promising demo of late 80's-early 90's thrash/death metal with a slight technical edge, with some occasional brutal ultra fast sections. The vocals are worth mentioning, being sinister throaty semi-growls.
Demo Demo, 2004 My Space WAR DANCE (USA)
Classic power/thrash metal in the Bay-Area tradition with some uplifting, punk-ish touches.
A Short Sharp Shock Demo, 1988 WAR RIPPER (USA)
A 4-sond EP of raging black/thrash metal with some heavy, twisted riffs ala Hellhammer, and a considerable doze of punk.
Hell Storm 7" EP, 2007 My Space WAR WITHIN (USA)
This is the band where the guitarist Greg Messick from the legendary speed/thrashers Intruder has decided to play some metal again for a change. If you look for some bombastic, technically-tinged speed/thrash, you have to look elsewhere, because his new act play heads-down angry, groovy modern thrash; well done, with heavy crushing riffs and the right attitude, but nothing really exceptional.
War Within Full-length, 2007 My Space WARATTAH (FRANCE)
An intriguing 4-track demo of chuggy, groovy thrash not too far from Machine Head. The good news is that these Frenchmen are far from satisfied to sound derivative, and they "insert" some genuine technical touches which turn their music in a different direction- towards the technical modern thrash realm where bands like Baghead, Obliveon and mid'90's Voivod belong. At times the sound is accessible with a good headbanging potential, but suddenly it takes a more unusual turn. It would take a few spins before one learns to fully appreciate this band.
Distorsion Demo, 2006 My Space WARBASTARD (USA)
A good 4-track EP of sharp and speedy Razor-like thrash metal with slightly awkward synthesized vocals, similar to the ones Razor themselves used on "Decibels", but these here are more in the whispering mould. "Thrashbastard Hell" takes a more melodic turn, sounding like something which bands like Motorhead, or Tank could have done, but is enjoyable and catchy nonetheless.
Thrashing Bastard Hell EP, 2004 Official Site WARBRINGER (USA)
A very cool EP of classic thrash with a slightly raw production as though it has been recorded in the 80's. The style has something in common with the scenes from both sides of the Atlantic ocean, sounding like a cross between Exodus and Sodom.
One By One, The Wicked Fall EP, 2006 My Space WARCHITECT (HOLLAND)
An excellent representative of the traditionally technically-inclined Dutch metal scene, and quite original at that. "Mind" is a really good progressive thrash metal effort, with slight shades of death; the music is heavy, never fast, with steam-rolling riffs, and interesting time changes. Because the guys don't bother to spice things with occasional speedy riffs, the songs tend to merge into each other, carried by the slightly monotonous feeling. Some of the songs go beyond the 8-min limit, and it's where the band manage to show their best, trying to keep them floating with some great guitar work. "A Sea of Red" goes deeper into death metal territory, but the music is not radically different from the debut, being another very strong offering.
Mind Full-length, 2002 Official Site WARCOLLAPSE (SWEDEN)
Based on the full-length debut, this band play fast, hardcore-ish thrash with hoarse death metal-vocals, and a somewhat black-ish attitude, reminding me of the first two Bathory albums. There is a certain Motorhead-atmosphere (the music is simplistic and catchy, resembling the legendary Brits), and some light-hearted punk-ish moments ("No Hope").
Indoctri-Nation EP, 1993 Official Site WARCRY (USA)
A good blend of heavy, doomy riffs and some up-tempo thrash metal ones of the classic variety. There is a slight hardcore-ish touch in the music bringing to mind Carnivore, but this band are on a higher level of musicianship, and are heavier.
Warrior's Path Full-length, 1999 Official Site WARDANCE (GERMANY)
A German thrash metal band with a female singer! Isn't that something new?! The music is more melodic than that of Holy Moses, for example, and is more in the speed/thrash metal camp similar to Warrant, or the second Angel Dust album, or, if you remember the speed/thrashers from Canada Messiah Force (their singer was also a girl). This is a very good band although the music is more on the melodic side.
Crucifixion Full-length, 1988 WARDEATH (BRAZIL)
A realy impressive debut of classic speed/thrash. "Prelúdio Para A Destruiçăo" is a brilliant energetic instrumental, and a great way to open the album. The following songs are by no means less effective: short, blistering speed/thrashers, containing the best from the 80's scene; mighty speedy riffs in the Helloween, Iron Angel, the Finns Solitaire spirit, shake hands with aggressive thrashing ones along the lines of Kreator, Necrodeath, the Swedes Cranium, among others. This is an uncompromising speedy attack, which will never give you a chance for a break, but one will hardly need it, carried away by this great stuff. An excellent cover of their compatriots (and peers) Minotaur comes at the end: "Savage Aggressions", made much better than the original, with marvellous melodic, very fast guitars. This is pure old school delight, a main pretender for the "Best Debul Album" award for 2008.
Confronto Bestial Full-length, 2008 Official Site WARDOG (USA)
This is Tom Gattis' (Tension, Ballistic) second and longest running project so far (and I would like to add the best). The style has something in common with Tension, but is rawer and heavier, mixing power, thrash and speed metal in almost equal dozes. The debut is a great affair, mixing heavy, slower power metal numbers ("Blasphemy") with some smashing speed/thrashers ("Rip & Tear"), with Gattis in fine form. "Scorched Earth" is more diverse and more power/speed metal-based (including one doom metal, and one jolly, crossover number), with less thrashing involved, with a slight presence of some modern 90's riffs, and Gattis sounding more restrained. "A Sound Beating" carries on in the same vein, with some clear moments from the 90's power/speed metal scene, but some harder thrashers are still scattered around ("A Sound Beating", and the 1.5min closer "Breakneck"- watch out for broken necks on this one!), plus another doomy nuber: "Close Friends, Closer Enemies". This was one of the few bands who managed to keep the spirit of 80's metal alive during the 90's.
Wardog Full-length, 1994 WARFAIR (GERMANY)
Melodic power/thrash which walks the fine line between the modern and the classic sound, not too far from 90's Flotsam & Jetsam, and Sacred Reich's "Independent".
Existance Under Pressure Demo, 2001 WARFARE (UK)
A cult UK band with a style reminiscent of Venom, Motorhead, Tank with a jolly, punk-ish attitude. On "Conflict Of Hatred" the music moves towards more serious thrash, recalling the Canadians Pile Driver, or even the Dark Angel's debut, a really good work. "Wax Works" is haunting, atmospheric intro, after which "Hate To Create" comes forward with fast, choppy riffs, with no traces of uplifting, merry moods. "Dancing In The Flames Of Insanity" switches onto almost progressive thrash, being much longer, slower, with the inclusion of violins and sax in the middle. "Fatal Vision" thrashes with no mercy again, after which comes one more longer, more complex piece ("Deathcharge (Doomsday)"), which doesn't forget to be dynamic, accompanied by very cool guitar hooks. "Order Of The Dragons" is a fine speed/thrasher, with a cool inclusion of the leads, and an imposing orchestral ending. "Elite Forces" is the most speedy track here, breaking the "fast song-slow song" formula. "Rejoice The Feast Of Quarentine" closes the album the way it started: in a nice energetic, headbanging fashion, showing a band now firmly belonging to the thrash metal brotherhood.
Two Tribes EP, 1984 My Space WARGASM (USA)
"Why Play Around" is a triumphant album, one of the ten best thrash releases ever, pretty much the culmination of the whole scene (and 1988 was indeed the peak year for thrash metal); some of the finest thrash pieces are here, folks: "Wasteland", "Revenge", "Undead", "Humanoid", and all the rest. No more comments about a masterpiece like this.
Why Play Around Full-length, 1988 Official Site WARHAMMER (GERMANY)
A band exclusively devoted to Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost. This is truly an impressive commitment, and the band should get kudos for that, but there is absolutely no variety here; once you've heard one album, you know exactly what to expect from the rest: pure Hellhammer-worship through and through.
The Winter of our Discontent Full-length, 1997 My Space WARHATE (BRAZIL)
Based on the compilation, this band's style is not too far from the early wave of Brazilian thrash- Sepultura, Sextrash, Volcano, Sarcofago. In other words, we have here brutal, raw thrash with some unlikely heavy, slower parts ala early Protector, plus the thousandth cover version of Motorhead's "Ace of Spades".
Thrash Invasion Demo, 1988 WARHEAD (BELGIUM)
When people talk about Belgian thrash metal, this band is often being forgotten, and it shouldn't be so. Perhaps the reason is that their style is more speed metal-based, with hints of thrash mostly on the second album, and an overall style recalling early Helloween, Steeler and Grave Digger. "Speedway" is a good slab of power, speed, and a little bit of thrash, which works quite well, and separate numbers really pack a punch: the energetic instrumental "Attack and Kill", the excellent short speed metal killers "Driver" and "Kill the Witch", the cool intense speed/thrasher "Speedway".
Speedway Full-length, 1984 WARHEAD (GERMANY)
This obscure, but quite prolific band have done a fairly good job in the German undergroung; their debut is a nice slab of classic speed/thrash, which apart from the lashing thrash pieces ("Let Me Die", "Good Christian"), offer some more quiet, longer tracks, which still hit, but in a more sophisticated way ("Hatred", "Good Part For Each"). The overall style reminds of the first two Squealer albums, with a pinch of mid-period Testament; the singer also recalls Chuck Billy at times. On some songs the music loses its edge, sounding like pure power/heavy metal; there is a cool ballad, too, in the Testament vein again ("Missiles").
Good Part for Each Full-length, 1997 My Space WARHEAD (POLAND/UKRAINE)
Although on some sites this band are presented as a black metal act, at least based on "Bloodthunder" there are no many reasons for that. This is heavy mid to up-tempo thrash, sounding like more one-dimensional Abomination; the singer also recalls the Paul Speckman's performance on that band's works. This is a good headbanging stuff, with short lashing songs, and a simplistic guitar work which delivers the goods. All the tracks are in the same fast tempo, so don't expect any highlights, but rest assured that this is not the same song played over and over again.
Warhead EP, 2000 WARHORDE (USA)
This is a one-man project who goes under the abbreviation P.H. He does a good job handling all the instruments to come up with cool retro black-ish thrash metal in the vein of early Bathory and Slayer's debut.
Satanic Lust Full-length, 2007 Official Site WARMACHINE (CANADA)
A very good debut which is mostly classic heavy/power metal, with some occasional more aggressive thrash parts.
The Beginning of the End Full-length, 2005 Official Site WARMATH (FINLAND)
Another hidden gem in the metal underground. On "Damnation Play" Warmath play power/speed/thrash in the tradition of Agent Steel, Wrath and Toxik with nice technical riffs, brilliant solos and great galloping rhythms; marvellous, guitar-driven music which would have fitted nicely even into the Shrapnel catalogue. The opener "Damnation Play" is a strong technical up-tempo track, and sets the tone for the remaining ones. The album flows in the energetic thrashy mood, seldom exiting the field, with some softer, heavy/power numbers ("The Land Of The Living", "The Fifth Season"), but this is nicely compensated by the more aggressive ones ("Slavery", "The Darkest Age"). After all, this is not an all-out thrash work, but is a blend of the aforementioned 3 styles, so it is not strictly for thrash fans.
Gehenna EP, 1990 WARMONGER (ITALY)
Glorious, classic thrash metal; these guys have to be signed immediately. The music is close to Destruction, and the Toxic Shock and Iron Angel's debuts.
Marching On The Warpath Demo, 2002 WARNING (GERMANY)
A 3-song demo which dedicates one song to each of the following metal genres: power ("Blind Hate"), speed ("Revelation"), and thrash ("Victims of the Insane"- this track is more of a mix between speed and thrash) metal.
Victims of the Insane Demo, 1986 WARNING SF (USA)
This is the new band of Jon Torres- a guitarist who has made a name for himself during his involvement with some big thrash metal bands in the past (Laaz Rockit, Heathen, Ulysses Siren). Whoever/whatever he's liked from those bands, he used to take it with him; that's why in Warning SF there are also members of Ulysses Siren and Laaz Rockit. This band's style is more along the lines of mid period Laaz Rockit ("Know Your Enemy") combining thrash and power metal in a very good way, with nice guitar work and fine, forceful vocals. Hopefully this won't be the last we hear from them!
Aftermath Full-length, 2002 Official Site WARPATH (CHILE)
It's a crime that bands like this never got signed! The first two demos are of a more simplistic (but very enjoyable) nature, whereas the last two are magnificent technical thrash. "Torture" is by all means the band's highest achievement; it starts with the title track which hits with its heavy, but also energetic guitar sound which will bring to mind even Dark Angel's "Time Does Not Heal", as well as Heathen's "Victims of Deception" (and these two albums were released later). The songs are complex, with plenty of great technical riffs and interesting musical decisions, which never leave the metal field. The singer is the only drawback, having a slightly undeveloped tember, something like how Dave Mustaine would sound after a long drinking party.
Alternative Dose Demo, 1988 My Space WARPATH (GERMANY)
Based on "When War Begins...Truth Disappears": heavy, mid-tempo thrash metal with crushing riffs. The style is not too far from the UK thrash masters Cerebral Fix, but the riffs here are slower and more aggressive. The songs are long (6-7min), and perhaps it would have been better if they were a bit shorter, because the guys refuse to speed things a lot, except on a few occasions.
When War Begins...Truth Disappears Full-length, 1992 WARRANT (GERMANY)
"First Strike" will strike you (no pun intended) with its sharp speed/thrash attack, sounding like a cross between Angel Dust's "Into the Dark Past" and Living Death's "Metal Revolution", a great beginning. "Satan" is an explosive opener, which will make you headbang for days. "Ready To Command" slows down, showing the softer, power metal side of the band, but "Condemned Forever" will stir the blood again, with some cool speedy riffs. The next couple of tracks follow the same pattern, maybe with a less thrashy edge, but the closing "When The Sirens Call" is another heavy metal hymn, maybe a bit too big a number for just an EP.
First Strike EP, 1985
Deconstructive Essence Full-length, 2007
Reality Asylum Full-length, 1994
Methanolid Full-length, 2004
Cass.Lp + Demo' 96 Demo, 2005
"War Without End" fulfills all the promises given with the EP, and goes well beyond that. This is heads-down classic thrash at its finest; "Total War", the album opener, will blow you away with its speedy assault (some very sparce blast beats involved), in the best tradition of Slayer and Vio-Lence. The attack continues through the whole album unabated, slowing down to galloping rhythm on the excellent "Dread Command", or reaching for the very extremes with the blast-beats on the furious "At The Crack of Doom". The album closer: "A Dead Current", is a nice slower instrumental with heavy, stomping riffs and a cool lead guitar, which was not that well accentuated on the other tracks, but this is hardly a complaint. It's hard to think of a better beginning for thrash metal for 2008 than this one.
War Without End Full-length, 2008
A Sea Of Red Full-length, 2004
Drunk Collapsed Destroyed Split album, 1994
Wandering in Darkness EP, 1994
Crust as Fuck Existence EP, 1995
Divine Intoxication Full-length, 1999
Heaven Is For Sale Full-length, 1990
Scorched Earth Full-length, 1996
A Sound Beating Full-length, 1999
Their last release is a tribute to the legendary British Hammer Studios famous for their horror films from the 1950-1970's, and is quite an original effort, with an atmospheric, orchestral intro, preceding each song. The style still is thrash-ornated, maybe not all the way, but enough to arouse the thrash fans' appetite. "Baron Frankenstein" is a nice mix of heavy, doomy riffs in the Celtic Frost vein and one more intense middle section. The 2 parts of "Scream Of The Vampire" are atmospheric tracks, with cool guitars with a gothic shade. "Plague Of The Zombies" is very enjoyable, more light-hearted speed metal number, but it's cancelled by the more hard-hitting "Tales Of A Gothic Genre" and "Dance Of The Dead", which are full-blooded thrashers with good, energetic riffs. "Phantom Of The Opera" is an excellent melodic, gothic song, with great female vocals, and haunting keyboard melodies; hey, there is strong guitar support as well, but it's not of the thrashy type, and one can not help, but notice how much the future doom/gothic acts owe to tracks like this.
Pure Filth Full-length, 1984
Total Death EP, 1985
Metal Anarchy Full-length, 1985
Mayhem, Fuckin' Mayhem Full-length, 1986
A Conflict of Hatred Full-length, 1988
Hammer Horror Full-length, 1990
A follow-up was badly needed immediately to confirm the birth of a new star, but the guys lost momentum, and took it easy (or could have been label problems, or other obstacles) right until 1993, when they struck again with "Ugly". The album title is not very attractive, but the music is quite good, although much less striking tha the one on the debut: it opens in a nice fast-paced way with "Rude Awakening", promising another great riff-fest. Well, the very next track ("Enemy Mine") shows the band having accepted the new 90's laws, with a much more restrained, almost groovy sound. Later on the speed returns ("I Breathe Fire" and the very aggressive, but also technical "Dead Man's Smile"), alternating with slower, more modern-sounding songs. "Ugly Is to the Bone" is a fine energetic thrasher, the highlight here, even worthy to be on the debut. The guys attempt something more complex and technical ("One Man Army"), suggesting at some new, future tendencies. Alas, these were just solitary experiments, as "Suicide Notes" is too far from anything the band have done at this point, being plain modern metal, more melodic than the old material, and much weaker.
Ugly Full-length, 1993
Fireball EP, 1995
Suicide Notes Full-length, 1995
Deathchrist Full-length, 1999
The Doom Messiah Full-length, 2000
Curse of the Absolute Eclipse Full-length, 2002
Biological Decimate Single, 1990
Action & Attitude Demo, 1993
Destructive Years Best of/Compilation, 2005
"The Day After" introduces a harder sound, and although the music still remains more in the speed metal camp, some cool mixtures of speed and thrash are present ("Devil's Church", "Evil Night"), which for some reason remind me of the Pile Driver's second album "Stay Ugly", with their direct, sincere approach. The new instrumental "Fall Out" is even better, albeit more quiet and slower, but with very cool lead guitar performance, which actually takes the whole space, and that's well deserved. "Last Night" is a good semi-ballad, with a nice speedy section, recalling Living Death's "Grippin' a Heart" from "Metal Revolution". "Legions of Hell" is another good take on speed/thrash, with a heavy, doomy beginning, followed by the awesome thrashing closer in the Iron Angel vein "The Day After". I've always wondered at the unexplained disappearance of good acts like this one (Warrant, Iron Angel, to name a few others), at the peak of the genre development, who have played fashionable, and quite good for the time music, with a big appeal.
The Day After Full-length, 1986
"Perfect Infect" takes a more modern direction, but some fast thrashy numbers of the old school are still present ("Celebrate Your Loot", "Perfect Infect"). The modern side of the music is not bad, and boasts some fine songs: the very cool progressively-tinged opener "The Other Side", which reminds me of early Vicious Rumours in a great way; the heavy, atmospheric thrasher "Into the Light"; oh, and another good ballad, this time more romantic and soft: "Behind My Eyes".
"Captured" is a fine return for the band to the scene after a long, 7-year hiatus. The guys still thrash in the good old way on most songs, which this time are longer, but still of the more immediate type. Some new material even surpasses the better achievements from the past: the speed/thrashing "Captured"; the jolly speed piece "Alive"; the raging thrasher "Zombie Ride"; no ballads this time, and no fillers. The new singer does a fine job, with his style now reminiscent of Steve Souza (Exodus) and Scot Waters (Ultimatum).
Perfect Infect Full-length, 1999
Beyond Recall Full-length, 2000
Captured Full-length, 2007
Defenders of the Blood Full-length, 2001
Aryan Nation's Rebirth Full-length, 2003
Explosion Split, 2004
Bloodthunder Full-length, 2006
The EP is slower, with a heavier sound, now fully focused on thrash, recalling the Bay Area scene, and more particularly late 80's Metallica and Testament. The guitar work is still on a high level, but the concentration is not on speed anymore; the riffs are heavy, pounding, with separate sections within the songs speeding up, but just a bit ("The Death Joy").
Damnation Play Full-length, 1991
Beer maniac Single, 2003
Mors tua, vita mea Single, 2004
Shock Force Demo, 1988
Mental Acceleration Demo, 1988
Torture Demo, 1989
"Kill Your Enemy" adds more speed in the proceedings, and the result is more satisfying, and way more diverse; at the same time there are some pure doomy songs ("Die Maschine"), and some modern tendencies have found place in the band's sound (the slightly boring and monotonous "Overrollin'"), plus some pure crossover delights ("Sign of Hard Times").
Massive Full-length, 1993
Against Everyone Full-length, 1994
Kill Your Enemy Full-length, 1996
"The Enforcer" followed a few months later, as though the guys were not willing to lose the accumulated inertia. The opener "The Rack" wastes no time, thrashing forcefully, with a cool speed metal shade. "Ordeal of Death" is a mid-paced power/thrasher, followed by another fine faster number: "Nuns Have No Fun" (which is not a Mercyful Fate cover), and those two approaches take turns until the end, resulting in a very good album, which is probably closer to speed/power metal, in a way similar to Iron Angel's "Winds of War". Whether the guys would have taken a more aggressive, thrashy turn in the future, remained a mystery, since they untimely disappeared from the scene, at the peak of the genre's development.
The Enforcer Full-length, 1985