EMIL'S DEEP UNDERGROUND RECOS (part III)
Thrash Metal Edition
For no particular reason, thrash metal releases seems to have taken a slight dive in the most recent couple of years. Not that the thirst for great thrash releases has diminished. We saw less quality release in thrash than in any other genre of metal. The global metal community received well the latest albums from the sacred monsters of thrash and the few newcomers. But was that enough? Well, we're about to find out - in addition to my, now "standard" edition of "Straight Outta Catacombs", I've decided to compile a "Thrash Metal Edition", where the common denominator is obviously thrash metal. The eleven releases, if you count the bonus maxi-single, have thrash metal at their core, breakneck fast riffs and rhythms, while each displaying it's own character by crossing over genres and stylistically venturing into death, black, groove, hardcore, or traditional heavy metal. Get into the pit!
EXECUTIONER
"Bone Collector"
12/22/2018
San Antonio, Texas, US
No strangers to the Texas circuit around their hometown since 2016, Executioner just released a new EP. Seven brutal, well composed and executed tracks. With the right amount of hardcore dialed in, this EP is sure to please the crossover thrash listeners. Fans of Ringworm and Hatebreed please don't hesitate. Total headbanger.
WELCOME DYSTOPIA
"Welcome Dystopia"
11/30/2018
Hamburg, Germany
Debut five track EP from the modern thrash metallers, founded in 2017, by ex-members of bands like Venatic, Taste Of Greed, Goremode, Elbrebellen and Comatic Sleep. Clever mix of 90s thrash and groovy hardcore. Heavy riffing with precise drumming and catchy melodies which reminds of bands like Lamb Of God, Machine Head or Killswitch Engage.
NUCLEAR REVANGE
"Let The Tyrants Rise"
12/10/2018
Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain
Mayhemic thrash metal full-length debut, following two demos and one split since the band's 2013 formation. Breakneck, evil and black - eleven songs of hatred, blasphemy and total decadence. For the fans of early Euro black/thrash in the vein of Kreator, Sodom and Exciter.
TOTAL DEATH
"Mundo Macabro"
12/1/2018
Valencia, Spain
The latest effort from the Spanish thrash/death veterans, Total Death, formed in Valencia in 1988. One of the first extreme metal bands to hail from Spain. Twelve tracks, slightly hardcore influenced full-length album, intoned in the band's native Spanish language.
DEMONIUS
"Demonius"
11/24/2018
Saint Lin Laurentides, Québec, Canada
Very strong debut from the Canadian melodic thrash/groove metallers formed in 2007. The band cites Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Metallica, Pantera, as their main influences. Fast and technical.
VALIANT BASTARDS
"Harbingers Of Chaos"
1/1/2019
Portland, Oregon, US
Solid ten tracks debut effort from the Portland's native band formed in 2013. Great overall 80s Bay Area influences. Outstanding sense of humor. Heavy metal anchored, Bay Area leaning stylistically. Jazzy bits for good measure.
EXTIRPATION
"A Damnation's Stairway To
The Altar Of Failure"
1/7/2019
Milan, Italy
The third full-length album from the Italian black thrashers, formed in Milan in 2010. Influenced by the early Sepultura, Sarcofago, Sodom, Possessed, Nifelheim, Voivod, Dark Angel, Protector, Slayer and Celtic Frost. Blackened evil thrash!
BANGOVER
"Shovel Butcher"
11/11/2018
London, UK
Debut album from the traditional London thrashers, formed in 2011. Seven solid tracks that don't lack grim humor. Band cites interests: Thrash metal, the separation of church and state, beer, toothpaste.They played at Bloodstock in 2017.
CREATE A KILL
"Summoned To Rise"
12/21/2018
Miami, Florida, US
Absolutely menacing debut album from the thrash/death all-star band! Formed by Gus Rios & Alex Marquez of Malevolent Creation, and Daniel Gonzalez of Possessed, with Dirk Verbueren (Soilwork) and Tobias Gustafsson (Vomitory). Straight to the point. Old-school. Effective.
BLACK FAST
"Spectre Of Ruin"
7/13/2018
St. Louis, Missouri, US
As the band points out: There isn’t a single clean passage, moody interlude, orchestral intro, or shoegazing break on Black Fast’s unapologetically destructive third album, "Spectre of Ruin". From start to finish, thrash metal fury is the business of Black Fast… and business is very good.
BONUS:
PRISONER
"Prisoner"
12/15/2018
Belgrade, Serbia
Three tracks speed/thrash metal maxi-single from the Serbian metallers, Prisoner, featuring an all new lineup, fronted by founder Mateja ''Dekapitator'' Cvetičanin. Intoned in the band's native Serbian.
© 2019 by Emil Chiru