thrashmetal

Toxikull – The Nightraiser EP

Toxikull – The Nightraiser EP
Mosher / Firecum Records
Release Date: 23/03/2018
Running Time: 25:36
Review by Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King
8/10

Anyone who knows me, knows that of all the metal genres that exist, the one I love the most is thrash, so when a thrash album landed in my inbox to review, I was all too excited to get it reviewed.

The offering was from Portuguese “fearless, taunting, leather-jacket wearing and maniacal” quintet, Toxikull, and they certainly play their metal HEAVY and FAST!

Formed in Cascais, Portugal, in 2016, the band is fronted by brothers Lex Thunder and Michael Blade and they are one of the most promising European underground bands when it comes to heavy/speed/thrash, displaying all the qualities of the genre; impressive vocals, a tight rhythm section, blazing guitar solos and carefully crafted melodies.

The band issued a full-length album “Black Sheep” in 2016 and this EP is their second release, and what an EP it is! At first listen, if I am honest, I didn’t really like it, but I persevered with it, giving it a few more go’s, and I am so glad I did, otherwise I would have missed a gem of an EP.

Says frontman Lex of the EP; “It’s an appeal to rebellion and some social criticism. Music wise this EP is a bit different from Black Sheep, it’s faster, stronger and more aggressive. The influences of the music from the past are also a bit different, this one’s more on the speed/heavy metal side.”

In truth, it is a “relentless, sonic attack” that just doesn’t give up from start to finish and combines some of the best elements that made heavy, speed and thrash metal so popular. Despite only coming into existence in 2016, these guys have a sound like they are straight from the mid 80’s, taking you on a journey back to the time of bands such as Exciter, Agent Steel and Razor.

The EP is just over twenty-five minutes long and, along with five original recordings, it features a cover of rock and roll royalty Axl Rose’s early band Hollywood Rose’s song “Rocker.” Says Lex; “I always thought it was a killer tune, living off the spirit of rock and roll. Unfortunately, this brilliant song never got a proper recording, so we took the chance and did it ourselves, and recorded it the way we wanted it to sound.”

The cover work is painted by Italian artist Velio Josto and the art meets the bands idea of “something pure, actually painted in ink and without any digital effects.”

All in all, this is a fantastic EP, and although I haven’t actually listened to the first album, I will make it my job to do just that. The vocals are out of this world, the guy hits every note and scream without any trouble, and the guitar solos are awesome. The rhythm section is tight and concise, and the production is great. It’s a little bit longer than what I would consider an EP but, due to the intensity and energy that comes from it, I think it’s actually the perfect length.

So, if you fancy a trip back to the 80’s, put on your leather jacket and go and get yourself a copy of this EP. You’ll be transported back in no time!!

TRACKLISTING:
01. Nightraiser
02. Surrender Or Die
03. Hell Master
04. Freedom To Kill
05. Satan Bloody Satan
06. Rocker (Hollywood Rose Cover)

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Onslaught – VI

Onslaught – VI
AFM Records
Release Date: 20/09/2013
Running Time 39:30
Review by Rick Tilley
10/10

This Review was first published in 2014 and is reprinted courtesy of Brutiful Metal Radio

I have been a big fan of Onslaught since their debut album ‘Power From Hell’ hit the streets in 1985. They were at the forefront of the UK Thrash movement back then and a perfect counterpart to the Bay Area and German scenes. I was also lucky enough to be part of the crowd who witnessed one of Sy Keeler’s very first gigs with the band at The Marquee Club, London in April 1986 when they supported Exciter. Due to the timetable running a bit late everyone was inside the venue when Onslaught emerged onstage to soundcheck ‘Let There Be Death’, which they did with such ferocity and precision that there were bodies and open mouths everywhere you looked. It was one of those spine tingling moments that only happen occasionally, it remains forever scorched onto my brain and second album ‘The Force’ is still one of my all time favourites!

What happened in subsequent years up until their eventual split in 1991 is a story for another day, needless to say I was more than a bit surprised, but extremely happy, when they decided to get back together in 2005. “VI” is Onslaught’s third album since returning and not only is it the best of the three it is also very close to being their finest hour. This is about as heavy and precise as a squadron of British Chieftain Tanks hitting you at full force, in other words “Fucking Immense”! Thirty second intro ‘A New World Order’ leads into ‘Chaos Is King’ and for the next forty minutes the skin is going to be melted from your face. Keeler’s venomous, spitting vocals improve as he ages and this is arguably his best ever performance. Founding member Nige Rockett and Andy Rosser Davies’ guitar work is outstanding, and in places reminiscent of Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P) and Annihilator’s Jeff Waters. Jeff Williams bass thunders and rumbles in perfect unison and new drummer Mic Hourihan appears to have been taking lessons from Gene Hoglan such is his split second timing. There really isn’t a poor track here and ’66’Fucking’6′ is going to become a thrash anthem!

Yes, I unashamedly love this album and after such brilliant releases from Exodus, Testament, Annihilator and Kreator in recent years I’m proud to say that Onslaught have matched them. I’m just pissed I never got round to reviewing this last October because it would have been top three in my albums of the year list. Double check the score I’ve given this, believe me, I don’t hand that out very often!

TRACKLISTING:
01. A New World Order
02. Chaos Is King
03. Fuel for My Fire
04. Children of the Sand
05. Slaughterize
06. 66’Fucking’6
07. Cruci-Fiction
08. Dead Man Walking
09. Enemy of My Enemy

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Richard Tilley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to reproduce and part of this review, unless you have the explicit permission of both parties; failure to comply will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Brutiful Metal Radio

Vicious Nature – VII EP

Vicious Nature – VII EP
Confidential Records
Release Date: 11/05/2018
Running Time: 24:51
Review by Dawn “The Metal Priestess” King
9/10

Being approached to review something by a band is always an honour and it was no exception when Andy Southwell of the band Vicious Nature asked me to review their new EP. I have already reviewed a single from it, so it made sense to review this too.

Formed in 2012 in the West Midlands, England, the band features former members of Cloven Hoof, Marshall Law and Cerebral Fix, all great bands in their own right, and as Jon ‘JB’ Brown, himself, states “this is no reflection on the music the band is producing, just an indication of the musicianship involved!”

So, what of the EP?

It kicks off with an atmospheric intro, aptly named The Calm Before the Storm, before launching you head first into a thrash metal onslaught with Rise Up. And it doesn’t let up! It is full on and in your face from start to finish.

I absolutely love the guitar work on this EP. Heavy, meaty riffs that gallop along have always been my favourite and this EP has them in abundance. Andy Southwell’s guitar playing is tight and concise and obviously the work of an immensely talented guy who isn’t afraid to show he’s influenced by the likes of Randy Rhoads and Eddie van Halen.

The rhythm section, comprised of drummer Brown and bass player Mark Culley, work well together. JB’s drumming is full of energy and the guy certainly knows how to hit the skins. Frantic drumming is, in my opinion, a must for any thrash metal album and JB knows how to do that with a passion. Mark’s bass playing on this EP is thumping throughout and at times comes to the forefront of a track. These two are an awesome duo and are more than just the time and beat keepers!

Andy Pyke has a typical metal singer’s voice, ranging from the highest notes to the lowest and his vocals are the icing on the top of a perfectly crafted metal machine. These guys are at the top of their game, and this EP shows that, performed with tons of anger, and a shit load of attitude, just how any great metal album should be performed.

As well as four incredibly talented guys, superb song writing and performances that are second to none, the production on this EP is fantastic too. So, what more could you want? Well, a couple more tracks would have done me just nicely!!

I usually pick out one or two tracks as my favourites on an album or EP, but I simply cannot do that with this one. All the tracks are fantastic, and I can’t pick one over any of the others.

So, if you like your music metal and your metal as it should be, then check out Vicious Nature, one of the best British metal bands around at the moment.

But don’t just take my word for it………. Grab yourself a copy of this EP, give them a listen and see for yourself!

TRACKLISTING:
01. The Calm Before the Storm
02. Rise Up
03. Devil Calls
04. Twisted Psychotic
05. The Silence that Kills
06. System of Disorder (recorded live at Wizzfest 2015)

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn ‘The Metal Priestess’ King and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities

Forged In Black – Sinner Sanctorum EP

Forged In Black – Sinner Sanctorum EP
Self-Released
Release Date: 02/09/2017
Running Time: 26:19
Album Review Tsarina Wilson
9/10

Forged In Black have been around since 2013 (when they changed their name from Merciless Fail) and released their self-titled debut album that year (which was a re-release of the Merciless Fail material, with new tracks and artwork). They have worked with some epic producers who have worked with bands from Motorhead to Black Sabbath but have their own unique, high quality sound.

Their first EP proper “The Tide” was also released in 2013, as was the single ‘The Exodus’ which was produced by Romesh Dodangoda (Motorhead, Bullet For My Valentine, Sylosis) These releases proved that Forged In Black were the real deal.

After teaming up with legendary producer Chris Tsangarides for 2016 EP “Fear Reflecting Fear” they decided that they didn’t want to mess about with a winning partnership and went back into the studio with Chris for this new EP “Sinner Sanctorum”. Let’s face it, Chris Tsangarides has worked with everyone (Judas Priest, Ozzy, Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, UFO…the list is endless) and, once again, he has guided this band superbly with “Sinner Sanctorum” easily being the best material Forged In Black have released.

To start with the lead vocals of Chris ‘Stoz’ Storozynski are amazing and leave you in no doubt about this bands ability. His voice is both sharp and gritty and he possesses great range. Guitar work from Andy Songhurst and Chris Bone is awesome, playing riffs that are almost hypnotic and will have you playing air guitar wherever you are! Add to that the powerful drumming of Kev Rochester and bass of Kieron Rochester keep the boundless energy going throughout the duration of the EP.

Forged In Black have been on the road with likes of The Deep, Breed 77, Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, Savage Messiah, Neverworld and Praying Mantis, to name but a few, and the confidence of this band shows through in their music! My favourite track is ‘Crimson Echoes ’with the beautiful guitar work at the beginning leading you into a false sense of security. Just when you think it’s going to be a gentle song BOOM a huge riff kicks in and vocals that have you reaching for the volume button to crank it up a bit louder!

I don’t see Forged In Black being on the road supporting other bands for much longer, they will be the headliner and the go to band for many metal fans filling concert venues wherever they go. They are the complete package… powerful and entertaining yet full of fury!

Forged In Black need to get a full length album released as they are just so good and I for one will be at the front of the queue to get my copy when it happens.

TRACKLISTING:
01. There’s Always Time
02. Pay The Price
03. Sinner Sanctorum
04. Crimson Echoes

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Tsarina Wilson and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities