Description
This debut album is reminiscent of the highly aggressive and unrelenting brand of Thrash made famous by the German scene in the mid to late 80s. There is no more proof of this than the Sodom-like title track, which is complete with the simple, yet highly effective riff structures, the overt Thrash break and the slow, non-complex nature of the lead. More reference can be drawn to Sodom and their German compatriats, due to the fact that the riffs pummel away at your like a jackhammer – much like ‘Agent Orange’.
This abrasive and highly catchy riff-o-rama also takes influences from Thrash legends Sepultura. The best example of this is on the high intensity slab of pure thrashing chaos that is the energetic ‘The Last Remains’. Incidently, this is amongst the shortest of the tracks and luckily so, as if this was any longer it would land a knockout blow!
The guitar tone is very punchy and raw and suits this album perfectly – reminding me of the sound that was achieved on Dark Angel’s ‘Time Does Not Heal’. This means the riffs can be heard in clarity, yet still come off as being raw and aggressive. The general riff structures are either of the percussive based rhythm of the Thrash variety, or the melodic tremolo of a Death Metal nature. This combination of a Death/Thrash hybrid follows the precedent set by Kreator’s ‘Pleasure To Kill’, albeit in a more modern style.
The insanity of this album is kept coherent by some adequate drumming, which builds on the foundations set by the guitarwork with some snare lead blasting and some handy double kick work.
This is complimented by some effective vocals, that are not over the top like some of their Thrash predecessors. They are best described as being in the vein of the shrieking used by Kreator and Morbid Saint, yet a bit harsher.
There is no filler to be found on this album – just nine tracks of pure Thrash so you can bang your head and bask in the glory of this fine genre the whole way though. This has as many quality riffs as anyone else in the Thrash genre has ever produced and goes as recommended to anyone that likes riffs in quantity and more importantly, in quality.
