ALBUM REVIEW: Mortillery - "Shapeshifter"

By: Theron Moore

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 27/05/2016
Label: Napalm Records

“Shapeshifter” finds the band firing on all cylinders, really attacking, sinking their teeth into each and every song. “Shapeshifter” shows growth, depth and progression.  I think it’s safe to say they broke the mold with this record.

“Shapeshifter” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Radiation Sickness
2). Age of Stone
3). Bullet
4). Mantis
5). Black Friday
6). Wendigo
7). At the Gates
8). Torture
9). Shapeshifter

The Review:

Love Mortillery.  Love this record, disc number three for the band.  It’s become a regular staple in my playlist at the gym.  “Shapeshifter” is energy defined.  I dig retro thrash when it’s done right and for the right reasons.  Dust Bolt’s new record is a great example of this.  Old school as musical fashion doesn’t work for me.  Mortillery attacks this sound with a vengeance and makes it all their own.  This is denim and leather metal, fist in the air.  And Canada with their beer and metal, add Mortillery to the list of great Canuck bands – Exciter, Zimmer’s Hole and 3 Inches of Blood.

I should say that there’s a big similarity between Mortillery and 3 Inches of Blood, vocal-wise, but that’s ok, I’ll take that.  What I like about this band is that I feel like they’ve “become” with this record, that is, Mortillery found their style and perfected the hell out of it.  Tight is an understatement. 

It’s not thrash for the sake of thrash or speed metal because it’s expected, these songs are well crafted and rock out the way metal should sound.  “Shapeshifter” finds the band firing on all cylinders, really attacking, sinking their teeth into each and every song.  “Retro Thrash” or “Old School Metal” can be something of a niche genre.  “Shapeshifter” shows growth, depth and progression.  I think it’s safe to say they broke the mold with this record.

“Radiation Sickness” and “Black Friday” are stand out songs for me.  Because I can see this band touring with Exodus or Nuclear Assault back in the day, jamming these songs live.  The record itself, “Shapeshifter,” has a big sound to it, a live sound showcasing Mortillery at their crossover best.  Keep an eye on this band.  Nukem, Dust Bolt, Mortillery.  The new big three of this genre.

“Shapeshifter” is available now

Band info: official | facebook

FFO: Nukem. Dust Bolt, Exodus, Nuclear Assault

Dust Bolt - Awake The Riot (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 2/6/2014

Label: Napalm Records

‘Awake the Riot’ CD/DD/LP track listing:

01. Living Hell
02. Soul Erazor
03. Beneath The Earth
04. You Lost Sight
05. Agent Thrash
06. Living A Lie
07. Awake The Riot - The Final War
08. Eternal Waste
09. Drowned In Blind Faith
10. Worlds Built To Deceive
11. The Monotonous - Distant Scream
12. Future Shock (EVIL DEAD cover)

The Band:

Lenny B. | Vocals, Guitars

Flo D.  | Guitars

Nico R. | Drums

Bene M. | Bass, Vocals

Review:

German thrash warriors Dust Bolt return- straight from the heart of Bavaria! This is straight up thrash (OK, maybe with a little punk/hardcore snottiness). Opener ‘Living Hell’ sets the stall out. Riffs, pace and vocals that are not clean exactly, but not growls either. There are frantic leads, half time and double times and so on. ‘Soul Erazor’ carries on the carnage- with shouted backing vocals and a touch of Exodus in the vibe. ‘Beneath the Earth’ is a little more measured, but still slays and has a breakdown section. 'You lost sight' has elements of melody in the riffing (in the way that latter day Kreator does- don't worry) and keeps the tempo high.

‘Agent Thrash’ is exactly what you would expect with a title like that. It is a shame that the drummer's right hand (or cymbal hand) is not working at full pelt, though- I prefer my thrash to be played with a fast hand playing all four beats as it gives it an extra element of feel. That said, it is none of my business and the groove is there- propelling the track long nicely- with the right hand gainfully employed in the breakdown section, too.  ‘Living a Lie’ is tremendously entertaining, throwing as it does some great riffs into the mix. Indeed, the whole record is good, friendly, violent fun (to borrow a phrase).

The title track is up next and does not disappoint- employing a kind of rolling Priest-esque groove to start before... settling into a mid pace (that's thrash mid pace) chug and then full thrash. 'Eternal Waste' boasts a cool drum intro (great sound) and then a cooler main riff. Fantastic stuff. There is an almost Suicidal Tendencies (thrash era) approach to this one. Cool!

‘Drowned in Blind Faith’ is the sound of the band spreading their wings a little- an atmospheric and noodling intro prefaces the thrash riffing this time- again with a little more melody here and there. Short and sweet, the track delivers the goods effectively. ‘Worlds Built to Deceive’ makes good use of the two guitar set up as tasteful riffing abounds. ‘The Monotonous Distant Scream’ boasts a clean intro to go with the slow burning bulk of this lengthy and impressive track. ‘Future Shock’ gives us nigh on five minutes of carnage, then a gap ensues before a cool outro that bookends the album nicely. Guitars wail triumphantly- as well they should. This is a great thrash album that is modern but with respectful nods to the past- and not necessarily the bands you might think either. Think Nuclear Assault, ST and to a lesser extent the Teutonic trio of thrash, rather then any of the big four. A good album that is well worth checking out.

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/dustbolt

http://dustbolt.de/

https://twitter.com/DUSTBOLTband

https://www.youtube.com/user/dustbolt