Written by: Blackie Skulless
While hardly ever anything overly new or standout, blackened thrash is something that manages to pull me in time and time again. South Carolina’s Demiser is a fresh act that once again reinforces my sentiment of being able to have identity without having originality. Taken formation a few years back, last year was when their first full offering hit the menu. Through The Gate Eternal is yet another record that looks the way it sounds, and I’m here for it. Forming an obvious sum of its ideas around fast riffing and fuming harsh vocals, the bottom level is business as usual. There’s a helping of classic sounding speed metal here, vulgar poetic flow there, and noodly solos that jump above an otherwise dry soundscape. What manages to sell Demiser is the ability to capture steady flow for a typically furious and fiery genre. “Deathstrike” moves into its outing leads so wonderfully from its galloping rhythm, and “Offering” manages to sneak in a bit of melodic catchiness resting in the chorus. The latter is probably the most memorable track.
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Written by: Blackie Skulless
What an incredible time for some Ukrainian death/thrash centered on horrors of war. Taking formation only a couple of years ago, Mortal Vision managed to get their debut full-length out late last year, hitting my radar at the beginning of this year. Though there’s no shortage of this style, it’s always nice when it can be pulled off so wonderfully. Mind Manipulation does just that. Immediately, the Sepultura-meets-Morbid Angel vibes are going to set in, and they never really go away for the full run. Under a slightly clearer umbrella, Mind Manipulation boasts riffs far more on the thrash side, caking on some grooves to break up an approach that’s pretty one-sided. Naturally, the speeds never really slow down other than to swing in these more memorable bridges and to give way to the solos. Things like the bouncy rhythms on “Condemned To Death” or the ascending sweeps meeting harder drum clashes with “Apophenia” add plenty of life.
This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of an EP worthy of yer attention.
Written by: The Administrator
Given a suspicious influx of thrash-centric reviews as of late here at ye olde Sleeping Village, you might assume that our inksplattered scribes are being, erm, materially influenced by the powerful Thrash Metal Lobby. And you would be entirely correct in that assumption. Anyways, here's a mini-review of a sick new 3-track EP. France's Corruption is a collaboration betwixt two brothers who share an exceedingly apparent affinity for the Big 4 thrash titans: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and...Testament. That influence shines through, and it's clear Corruption have harnessed their inspirations. Dead Is The Soul is an exceedingly tight and well-executed affair, as technically precise as it is regrettably brief. There's a certain restraint at play--there aren't any off-the-rail moments here, which is a quality that translates pretty damn well for anyone looking for a thrashin' good time without excess intensity. Notably, Corruption keep things moving. There's never a dull moment across these three tracks, and both brothers keep their feet on the gas, delivering an engaging series of combat-boot stomping riffs, crisp yet concise solos, and tastefully muffled reintroduction of previously introduced motifs. Because of this attention to variety, there aren't dull moments. I personally like thrash that focuses on groovy heft instead of needlessly flashy wankery, and in this department, Corruption certainly brings the goods. I'm very impressed with what they hath wrought, and am equally impressed with their proficiency given a newcomer status. "Devour" is my favorite track of the three due exclusively to the sheer headbangability of the chorus and the tasteful inclusion of cleans on the back half to offset the harsher vocals. That said, if yer listening to one track, you might as well listen to 'em all--"Network of Death" packs a whole lot o' thrashy goodness into a cohesive display, and closer "The Snake Embrace" is, simply put, catchy as fuck. In sum: Dead Is The Soul is an excellent appetizer. I'm excited to witness whatever Corruption cook up next.
This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of a thrash single worth checking out.
Written by: The Administrator
Karachi's Tabahi are, in their words, the only thrash metal band from Pakistan. "Politricks" is their first track in seven years. The math is pretty clear: there isn't a whole lot of thrash coming out of Pakistan. Despite being the sole bearers of the banner, Tabahi are evidently making a hell of a scene on their own--this new single is an absolute ripper. If you're a fan of the pounding riffage and general savagery of the progenitors of German thrash, you'll inevitably find "Politricks" an enjoyable ride. Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction are accurate points of comparison. There's not much seat-of-the-pants Bay Area freneticism here--the solo towards the end, for example, feels contained rather than something you might find coming from, I dunno, Forbidden. Indeed, the band describes the guitar's approach as "claustrophobic," which feels accurate, given the meaty tone and propensity to pummel. While there isn't exactly much innovation at play, the extremely polished aggression that this duo offers up only serves to demonstrate the reality that newer bands can execute the formula as confidently as legacy acts. The instrumentation is tight, the vocals are muscular and vicious, and the energy is through the roof. This is everything a modern thrash track should be, and when it comes to overtly targeting the political deception and hypocrisy they witness in their environ, Tabahi are utilizing their songcraft to its fullest extent. The band considers this single "a direct call out." You love to see it. Notably, this track prompted me to check out their self-titled album from 2014, which is quite enjoyable as well. They've got a second album coming out this summer--keep yer eyes and ears appropriately peeled. 
Written by: The Administrator
There's a special irreplaceable fire and fury that exists only in the confines of a blistering proto-thrash demo tape. Reno's own Sorcerer's Sword enter this specific arena with Demo 2021, infusing the speedy thrash aesthetic with retro blackened punk. In short: goddamn. This five-track-and-an-intro barnburner is a very promising debut, as fun as it is frenetic. Sorcerer's Sword paint with a broad no-fucks-given brush, which is kind of implicit, given their chosen genre worship and hellraising aesthetic. There's little pretense lurking in their primitive yet proficient fare, and the sheer bloodletting violence they enact is a sight to behold. If you're looking for points of vague comparison, consider the filthy black/thrash likes of Sabbat and Vulcano by way of the speed of early Sodom and no-holds-barred maniacal approach of Deathhammer or Witchtrap.
This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of a very metal-y single I've been spinning all day. Dig in!
Written by: The Administrator
It's a Friday evening here at the Sleeping Village, which means that this particular scribe is ready to cut loose with some loud music, an irresponsibly massive pile of cheap pizza, and some beer(s). Whether or not the night pans out in that exact fashion is yet to be determined, but at least I have the soundtrack sorted. Time, methinks, for some capital-M Metül. On their latest thrash/hard rock/speed metal single, fresh off the press today, TANTIVY delivers no-nonsense abrasivity and enough leather-and-bullet-belted swagger to adequately satisfy any acolyte of the gritty Motörhead ethos and aesthetic. Built on the back of rolling drums and galloping riffs, "Worthy Foe" is a track that is invested in its own forward momentum. It's a rhythmic and boot-stomping affair, with a sense of urgency permeating the whole. The vocals, which notably feel like they were tied to the back of a truck and dragged through the gravel for a good long while, lend the track an intrinsic gruffness and toughness. Despite the deliberate rough-n-tumble approach, "Worthy Foe" feels like a refinement on the template they established on 2021's Eyes if the Night, and points in a very promising direction for anyone invested in hard rockin' heavy metal. It's a single that practically demands a larger project to call home. I'm excited to hear what this crew cooks up next. |
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