ALBUM REVIEW: Sodom, "40 Years At Ward: The Greatest Hell of Sodom"

By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 28/10/2022
Label: Steamhammer SPV

 
“40 Years At War- The Greatest Hell of Sodom” CD//DD//LP track listing
 
1. Sepulchral Voice
2. After The Deluge
3. Electrocution
4. Baptism Of Fire
5. Better Off Dead
6. Body Parts
7. Jabba The Hut
8. Gathering Of Minds
9. That’s What An Unknown Killer Diarized
10. Book Burning
11 Genocide
12. City Of God
13. Ashes To Ashes
14. In War And Pieces
15. S.O.D.O.M.
16. Caligula
17. Euthanasia
 
The Review:
 
Well, this is a real fan curio! Instead of re-recording an early album… Tom Angelripper and the band have done something different. The seventeen tracks here are all re-recordings. One from each release that the band have done. Whether this idea is tempting to you or not may depend on your previous experiences with re-recordings of any kind.
 
The pros of this approach first: i) by recording one song from each album, the band cannot be accused of full sacrilege in the same way that, say, Manowar were with the “Kings of Metal” re-recording. ii)The production, playing and overall musical quality is much improved in most cases here.
 
The cons of this approach: i) the songs exist in their original recorded form and any listener familiar with such original recordings may feel sentimental attachment to them and therefore may not give any re-tread a chance. ii) Re-recording means that to some extent one or other version of the songs becomes redundant in some way.
 
So, seventeen tracks form the German thrash metallers’ career, played by the latest line-up with the latest recording techniques and sound quality. Honestly? I like the idea. You get kind of a best of comp with a uniform sound and a gateway into the band’s previous work. Now, that’s not to say that I am going to go back and listen to every single one of the albums that these tracks spring from. Neither does it mean I’m going to dispose of my copy of “Obsessed By Cruelty”.
 
How essential is a re-recording of “Euthanasia” from 2020’s “Genesis XIX”?! Hmm; it’s so recent that a live version would have sufficed. At least the band have been consistent in their approach- no exceptions. Let’s dive in.
 
The tracks here range form the essential (“Sepulchral Voice”, “After the Deluge”, “Electrocution”, “Baptism of Fire”) to the lesser known (“Gathering of Minds”, “That’s What the Unknown Killer Diarized”). Of course, the 80s material shines through as very strong- from “In The Sign of Evil” onwards the band had their own sound, vibe and the influence that they went on to have on black metal (in particular) cannot be denied.
 
Across the seventeem songs here, it’s all worthwhile material. The band ploughed on through the 90s- I will admit to a lack of familiarity with most of those albums and songs, mind. It must be said, recent efforts have brought the band back in a big way. “Decision Day” was a great album and is represented here by the fearsome “Caligula”. 
 
Quite simply, this is enjoyable- it’s fun, it’s raucous, it’s respectful of the original songs- no arrangement changes- and it does what it sets out to do. “40 Years At War” showcases the band across all line ups and records. It cherry picks great songs throughout and gives a new listener a way in and an old listener an update in sound quality. If you are new to Sodom, sure, start here. If you are an avid fan, you’ll buy this anyway. If you are a casual fan then this may inspire you to go through more of their albums. With this release, Sodom’s approach has won the re-recording battle and will no doubt continue to wage their war for years to come.
 
“40 Years At War- The Greatest Hell of Sodom” is available now 

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Whipstriker, "Merciless Artillery"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 09/03/2018

Label: Hells Headbangers Records

Gritty and uncompromising, Whipstriker truly are “Soldiers of Sodom” and will cast their “Warspell” on you if you get a hold of this feral beast of an album.

“Merciless Artillery” CD//DD track listing:

1). Merciless Artillery

2). Rape of Freedom

3). Calm after Destruction

4). Mantas ’Black Mass

5). Solider of Sodom

6). Warspell

7). Enemies Leather

8). Bestial Hurricane

The Review:

Brazil's Whipstriker are back- again- in their prolific career since 2008 they have amassed no less than four albums and countless split singles and so on. If you haven't heard the band, I can sum things up for you: Venom. This band are the hellish spawn of Mantas, Abaddon and Cronos- ably assisted by Bathory, Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost.

That tells you exactly what you are getting. This is a dark and rough listen- echoing Venom's legendary debut and Motorhead's attitude perfectly. The title track kicks things off in gritty style- have a listen and you will know instantly if this is for you or not. Over the course of eight tracks, you get Venom, Sodom, Motorhead, Frost, Hellhammer, Bathory and so on all wrapped into an appealingly raw production. The band has gone for vibe and attitude, not sound replacements and perfection. This really is a warts and all recording- there are some imperfections here and there for sure! That is of absolutely of no issue to me, though. There is also a fair amount of very smooth playing and surprisingly melodic riffing. This music is supposed to be rough and ready and Whipstriker have delivered their own vision.

If you are after anything in the style of the bands mentioned above, this album is a must. Gritty and uncompromising, Whipstriker truly are “Soldiers of Sodom” and will cast their “Warspell” on you if you get a hold of this feral beast of an album.

“Merciless Artillery” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Vomitor, "Pestilent Death"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/04/2018

Label: Hells Headbangers Records

This is metal as it should be: balls to the wall, nasty sounding and with an evil undertone to it all. No wimps. No posers. Vomitor are ungodly and stand as a beacon of satanic light. Welcome to hell, again.

“Pestilent Death” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Tremolation (04:19)
2. Roar of War (04:38)
3. Abracadabra (04:46)
4. Manic Oppression (03:48)
5. Tremendous Insane (05:40)
6. Pestilent Death (04:12)
7. Hells Butcher (04:29)

The Review:

Australia's Vomitor plays a kind of death metal/thrash metal/black metal hybrid. Noisy, tough and uncompromising about sums these boys up. This is very much on the Venom-Bathory-Sodom continuum, use that as a starting point and then modernise a bit...

The band, having been plugging away since the 90s and are on vicious form here. This is even better than “The Escalation” album of a few years ago. Better songs, production and mix. Over the course of seven tracks the band batters the listener very convincingly from the opening maelstrom of “Tremolation” to the slowed down and grinding “Road of War” and into the noise fest of “Abracadabra”, the band sets out their stall and invites you to leave if you don't like it.

You can hear the influences here; early Slayer, Sodom and so on, but this is more extreme than any of the bands mentioned above. The band has picked up the ball and run with it, Aussie-rules style. The dramatic opening of “Manic Oppression” gives way to an all out thrash attack while the album's epic centrepiece of “Tremendous Insane” makes a truly unholy racket.

Of the final two tracks, the title track is more blackened in approach while the closing horror of “Hells Butcher” is as beastly as the previous album's “Pitch Black”. The record is unrelenting and makes for very uneasy listening throughout. This is metal as it should be: balls to the wall, nasty sounding and with an evil undertone to it all. No wimps. No posers. Vomitor are ungodly and stand as a beacon of satanic light. Welcome to hell, again.

“Pestilent Death” is available on Cassette (HERE), CD (HERE), and Vinyl (HERE).

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Exalter - "Persecution Automated"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/11/2017

Label: Transcending Obscurity Records

Aggressive and fairly primitive with some elements of the more extreme death metal sub-genre. Themes of oppression, injustice and warfare abound- classically thrash all the way. This is Flawlessly executed metal.

“Persecution Automated” CD//DD track listing:

1). Intro

2). Holocaust Ahead

3). Reign of the Mafia State

4). World Under Curfew

5). The Dreaded End

6). Slaughter Cleanse Repeat

7). Incarceration

8). Grip of Fear

9). Pathology of Domination

10). Clandestine Drone Warfare

The Review:

Bangladeshi headbangers Exalter return with this razor sharp slice of thrash. Following up the excellent EP, “Obituary For The Living” was never going to be an easy task, but the band have done it in style. With the album kicking off with an intro and an instrumental, you know there is no sell out for more commercial territory. You are getting thrash, plain and simple.

With many of the old school bands having introduced melody to unacceptable levels, it is nice to hear Exalter pressing forward with vicious riffs, barked vocals and straight forward aggression. This is thrash that is, I would say, a melding of Exodus, Sepultura and Sodom. Aggressive and fairly primitive with some elements of the more extreme death metal sub-genre. Themes of oppression, injustice and warfare abound- classically thrash all the way.

The likes of “World Under Curfew” will get necks snapping everywhere and when the band drop to mid paced territory for riffage on “The Dreaded End” for instance, they do so solidly and convincingly. Naturally, the band always favour pressing the pedal to the metal, whether it be on “Reign of The Mafia State” or “Slaughter Cleanse Repeat” they do so with full conviction. The band keep things sharp and focused throughout- this is a record made of songs that beg to be played live- with songs not outstaying their welcome and deft use of time changes and riffs- “Grip of Fear” being a prime example.

When the final two tracks have played out and the vicious “Clandestine Drone Warfare” has concluded, the final verdict is easy to reach: the record won't change the world and or even the thrash genre, but it would make a fine soundtrack to any one of the subjects that the band write about it- and in thrash metal, there can be no higher compliment than that. Flawlessly executed metal.

“Persecution Automated” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Power Trip - "Nightmare Logic"

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/02/2017

Label: Southern Lord Recordings

All in all, you would be pressed to find a weak link in “Nightmare Logic”'s sound or mix. It's a pinnacle album for those who need their metal fast, violent, and up in their face like a full scale riot.

“Nightmare Logic” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Soul Sacrifice
2. Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)
3. Firing Squad
4. Nightmare Logic
5. Waiting Around To Die
6. Ruination
7. If Not Us Then Who
8. Crucifixation

The Review

If there's one thing Texas does, its crank out some great metal! Whether thrash, doom, death, stoner, or whatever gets you throwing horns up, Texas has pumped it out; today is no different, as one of the stalwarts, Power Trip, has unleashed a magnificent piece of Thrash. A Thrashterpiece. Shut up. It's called “Nightmare Logic” and it's a dream of a drop!

Power Trip manages a classically gnarly sound, akin to Iron Reagan and Municipal Waste (who share members) and the simplistic song formulas of the original wave like Sodom, Slayer, early Kreator. It's about violence (“Executioners Tax”, “Firing Squad”), freedom from religions hand (“Crucifixation”), and not sitting around for life to happen (“Waiting Around To Die”). All in all, you would be pressed to find a weak link in “Nightmare Logic”'s sound or mix. It's a pinnacle album for those who need their metal fast, violent, and up in their face like a full scale riot.

Again, sound wise, this album is just spot on with it. The guitars are crunchy like broken bottles, drums dead simple and clear, and the solos RAGE like the old days, when fingers still worked independently. They utilize Whammy bars like they are renting them by the hour, and it's like 1987 found its old denim jacket again. Power Trip is absolutely where most Neo-Trash bands aspire to be, and honestly are making bands like Slayer look terrible.

Title Track “Nightmare Logic” and “Firing Squad” are definitely my highlights off this banger release, but the whole album is a listen-through record for me. Thrash along at home with this Southern Lord gold, and let it flow over you like a familiar, well worn, patch covered denim blankie.

“Nightmare Logic” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Sodom - "Decision Day"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/08/2016

Label: Steamhammer

This is highly recommended for anyone who likes the gnarlier end of metal from Motorhead to Venom to Exodus to early Sepultura to Ravens Creed and so on. Nasty. And great!

“Decision Day” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. In Retribution (06:14)
02. Rolling Thunder (04:22)
03. Decision Day (04:03)
04. Caligula (04:01)
05. Who Is God? (04:35)
06. Strange Lost World (04:59)
07. Vaginal Born Evil (05:15)
08. Belligerence (04:00)
09. Blood Lions (03:17)
10. Sacred Warpath (05:34)
11. Refused To Die (04:27)
12. Predatory Instinct (04:44) (bonus track for vinyl and iTunes edition)

The Review:

From their early days when they played a kind of primitive black metal akin to Venom/Hellhammer, to the seminal albums of the late 80's, Sodom have occupied a rather special niche. They remain part of the German Big Three (arguably four, if you count Tankard) with Kreator and Destruction. Truthfully, I have never gone through Sodom's back catalogue in the same way as I have Kreator's, but that may now have to change.

“Decision Day” represents another quality release in the Sodom discography. You get eleven tracks of feral thrash. From opener “In Retribution”, through the title track and beyond, this is evil and dark music from masters of the genre. The technique is most certainly there these days, with Tom Angelripper backed up very impressively by Bern Kost and Markus Freiwald. Keeping to the power trio format has been the band’s strength over the years: think of them as a thrash Motorhead. You know what you want, what you are getting and what the band will inevitably deliver.

There are surprising moments of melody to go with the bombast- a lead break here, a tempo change there- it all adds up to a record that is well rounded and impressively adrenaline fuelled. The bass sound, as heard on “Caligula” is also mightily impressive. Sodom have kept the somewhat inventive/bizarre phrasing from earlier albums with titles like “Vaginal Born Evil" and have certainly kept their anger intact. This is metal of the old school variety- when it was still dangerous and a bit... well, scary.

It is on the most focused and succinct tracks which the band really shines- “Blood Lions” being a prime example- but the album is such that there is nothing spare here, nothing wasted. The song lengths are fairly uniform- around four minutes, although sometimes on either side of that and this is indicative of the fact that Tom and crew have their style down and write in a particular way as pertains to structure and changes. Ultimately, this is a huge strength: the band know exactly how to do this and they do it very well.

By the time “Refused To Die” rolls around, the album has proven to be very much a heads-down-see-you-at-the-end thrash fest. This is highly recommended for anyone who likes the gnarlier end of metal from Motorhead to Venom to Exodus to early Sepultura to Ravens Creed and so on. Nasty. And great!

“Decision Day” is available now

Band info: facebook

FFO: Kreator, Destruction, Slayer, Venom

ALBUM REVIEW: Exalter - "Obituary For The Living"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/03/2016
Label: Transcending Obscurity

“Tortured Innocents” kicks things off and lets you know what the band are about: riffs, sandpaper vocals, time changes galore and an air of discordant menace present in the solos and general delivery.  This is top drawer thrash metal and will make you thrash ‘til you drop, guaranteed

“Obituary For The Living” CD//DD track listing:

1). Tortured Innocents
2). Surrounded by Evil
3). Sacrificial Immolation
4). Nuclear Punishment
5). Throat Cutters
6). Thrash Resurgence
7). White Phosphorus Shell

The Review:

Bangladesh may not be the first country you think of when you think “violent thrash metal”, but it joins its alphabetical compatriot of Brazil in making a strong case for it here. Simply put, this is rip roaring thrash of the early Sepultura/Kreator variety- but with more modern finesse, naturally. “Tortured Innocents” kicks things off and lets you know what the band are about: riffs, sandpaper vocals, time changes galore and an air of discordant menace present in the solos and general delivery.

Coming in with seven tracks, this is not the longest album of its type; but the band has played to their strengths. They have produced seven uniformly good songs, packed with excellent riffage and it must be noted that a little of this goes a long way. I don't spend all listening hours listening to violent thrash, but when I want to hear some I generally will stick on one record at a time. Next time I feel the urge, I may well reach for this nasty beast; tracks such as “Surrounded By Evil” and “Sacrificial Immolation” may make you do the same.

Thrash metal when taken on by countries that are not the USA is markedly different from the Bay Area originators. “Nuclear Punishment” may share the apocalyptic concerns of many of America's finest and even some of the riffs have a Testament flavour to them, but this clearly does not sound like American thrash, mixing as it does the South American and German preferences in its sound. “Throat Cutters” is a prime example of the band's evil sound, while “Thrash Resurgence” clearly paints a picture of what the band are trying to do here.

The deadly “White Phosphorus Shell” closes the record forcefully and even brings some political commentary into proceedings. With that, the record is over. This is top drawer thrash and could be just what you are looking for if you fancy some of what is described above. A record that will make you thrash 'til you drop, guaranteed.

“Obituary For The Living” is available here

Band info: facebook

RIYL: Sepultura, Kreator, Testament, Sodom

Destruction - "Under Attack" (Album Review)

 By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 13/05/2016

Label: Nuclear Blast

From the opening title track, this is Destruction firing on all cylinders. The band sound focussed and angry. The production is pleasingly angular and metallic. Drums thrash convincingly (and don't sound identical to all other bands' drums!) as Sifringer and Schmier bring an impressively malevolent sound from their strings. How many records Destruction have left in them is not known, but if this anything to go by, their well is far from dry. Destruction have just made a worthy addition to their discography.  Make it a worthy addition to your record collection.

“Under Attack” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Under Attack (6:13)

2. Generation Nevermore (4:04)

3. Dethroned (4:50)

4. Getting Used To The Evil (6:08)

5. Pathogenic (4:27)

6. Elegant Pigs (3:40)

7. Second To None (5:11)

8. Stand Up For What You Deliver (4:20)

9. Conductor Of The Void (4:33)

10. Stigmatized (4:12)

The Review:

Destruction are indisputably thrash royalty. Along with Kreator and Sodom they make up the unholy trinity of Teutonic “thresh meddle.” There are now many records into a long and storied career... can they still cut it?!

Yes. Indeed they can. “Spiritual Genocide” from 2012 was a cracker, even better was “Day Of Reckoning” from 2011. “Under Attack” carries on the sound of those albums; tight, modern, speedy and distinctly Germanic in sound and vibe. Destruction have never had the all out aggression of Kreator, per se, or the crude violence of Sodom, but they have always had an abrasive and cutting sound.

From the opening title track, this is Destruction firing on all cylinders. The band sound focussed and angry. The production is pleasingly angular and metallic. Drums thrash convincingly (and don't sound identical to all other bands' drums!) as Sifringer and Schmier bring an impressively malevolent sound from their strings.

The breakneck tempos continue through “Generation Nevermore”, but the band is not afraid to slow down to rolling tank speed on the likes of “Dethroned” and then ring the changes again. There are nice flourishes to the likes of “Getting Used To The Evil” in the form quiet and loud dynamics, but mainly this is a speed fest. The riffing is razor sharp and sustains the middle of the album nicely- “Second To None”, “Pathogenic” and “Elegant Pigs” are all great thrash tracks from the top drawer.

The cunningly and punningly named “Stand Up For What You Deliver” is a track with a more triplet/galloping feel, which breaks up the record nicely before the frenetic home stretch. The final two tracks deliver a mid tempo assault and a final opening up of the throttle with the closing “Stigmatized” being particularly effective (lovely drum break). Having seen these boys live in 2010 supporting Obituary, I can attest to their aural potency on stage. They translate perfectly from stage to studio and vice versa. Towering vocalist/bassist Schmier also had the best sign off I have heard at a gig: “I'll see you in fucking hell mother fuckers...” And with that, he was gone! How many records Destruction have left in them is not known, but if this anything to go by, their well is far from dry. Destruction have just made a worthy addition to their discography.  Make it a worthy addition to your record collection.

“Under Attack” is available now

Band info: facebook

Kreator - “Love Us Or Hate Us”: The Very Best of The Noise Years 1985-1992 (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

 

Album Type: 2CD
Date Released: 06/05/2016
Label: BMG | Sanctuary Records |
Noise Records

 

 

When all is said and done, the vast majority of the two discs are absolutely killer. The first disc in particular is a rip ride through some of the greatest metal ever laid down. Two thirds of the second disc is awe inspiring too.  If you fancy an introduction to the band or need a one stop shop to replace worn vinyl or lost CDs, this compilation is undoubtedly for you as it is superb. What a band!

 

“Love Us Or Hate Us”: The Very Best of The Noise Years 1985-1992 CD track listing:

 

Disc 1:

Tracks 1-5 “Endless Pain” (1985)
Tracks 6-10 “Pleasure to Kill” (1986)
Tracks 11-15 “Terrible Certainty” (1987)

Disc 2:

Tracks 1-5 “Extreme Aggression” (1989)
Tracks 6-10 “Coma of Souls” (1990)
Tracks 11-15 “Renewal” (1992)

 

The Review:

 

Kreator form one part of the big three/big four of German thrash metal. Along with Sodom, Destruction and Tankard their status as Teutonic metal legends is not in doubt. This two disc compilation catches their classic career period and also their tailing off in the early 90's. Naturally, a band this good would not stay down for long and their post millennium albums have also been by and largely good to excellent (“Phantom Antichrist” is fantastic). Kreator these days have more melodic tendencies and the chaos is more restrained.

 

Melody and restraint are not words I would use in connection with the best of the material on offer here; “Endless Pain” is a more extreme version of Venom and the material from that nasty record played a part in the nascent death metal and even black metal genres. Similarly, “Pleasure To Kill” is revered as a thrash classic and often mentioned as the one album that could rival “Reign In Blood” for violence and intensity. There is no doubt that the material from those two albums sounds superb here; violent, chaotic and the aural equivalent of a riot (of violence). Tracks such as “Bonebreaker” veer close to Motorhead in approach, while “Under The Guillotine” is just brutal and devastatingly fast thrash, plain and simple. “Ripping Corpse”, probably my favourite from Kreator and indeed the “PTK” album sounds as vicious as it did when I first heard it.

 

“Terrible Certainty” is represented well here with clear improvements in musicianship and even production; this is a more clinical version of Kreator, but no less devastating. There is even a little melodic intro to “Behind The Mirror” which is a tiny portent of things to come in a  distant future for the band.

 

The band upped their game again for “Extreme Aggression”- the material from that album is tight and focused and well played too; it is the sound of a band in total command of their style and the tracks selected to open up the second disc are excellent. “Love Us Or Hate Us” is still a thrash anthem and sounds great here as do the other choice cuts from the album. “Coma of Souls” from 1990 gets a good showing here too; the band still plays in the traditional thrash style and the album is a good- if not great- one. Certainly it would be greater than what followed. The guitars sound reliably gnarly and the overall production is really quite good. Ventor's twin kicks are high in the mix with an almost “And Justice For All” style slap to the sound- but the snare is a little echoey and distant (probably a reaction to the bizarre compressed snare of “And Justice For All”). “People of the Lie” is the “hit” from the “Coma...” album and is included here. That makes five cracking albums in a row from Kreator in a short time period, too.

 

Thereafter, the issue of “Renewal” rears its head. It is no secret that thrash went through a fallow period in the post “Black Album” (and then grunge) landscape. Most bands changed; Testament released some simplified and slowed down records, even Overkill kind of aped Sabbath on the distinctly un-thrash “I Hear Black”. Kreator experimented with industrial sounds and slower tempos for “Renewal”. Honestly, the tracks from it here are not bad, per se, but just not why I would listen to Kreator (i.e. for brutal and violent thrash). Ultimately, the most and least you could say about “Renewal” is that it was a record of its time and place. It is bizarrely over-represented here and the samples and sound effects employed on tracks such as “Depression Unrest” sound out of kilter with the rest of this excellent compilation.

 

When all is said and done, the vast majority of the two discs are absolutely killer. The first disc in particular is a rip ride through some of the greatest metal ever laid down. Two thirds of the second disc is awe inspiring too. Kreator would claw their way back from the wilderness ten years later, but the band's exit from Noise Records and subsequent 90's releases are not their most celebrated moments. If you fancy an introduction to the band or need a one stop shop to replace worn vinyl or lost CDs, this compilation is undoubtedly for you as it is superb. What a band!

 

“Love Us Or Hate Us”: The Very Best of The Noise Years 1985-1992 is available now

 

Band info: facebook