ALBUM REVIEW: Conan, "Existential Void Guardian"

By; Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/09/2018

Label: Napalm Records

 

“Existential Void Guardian” CD//DD//2LP track listing:

1.Prosper On The Path

2.Eye To Eye To Eye

3.Paincantation

4.Amidst The Infinite

5.Volt Thrower

6.Vexxagon

7.Eternal Silent Legend

The Review:

The foremost disciples of tone are back with this superbly titled fourth full length studio record. Ever since “Horseback Battle Hammer”, Conanhave carved out their own niche and become hugely influential in doing so. Amp and pedal worship was never the same after these guys, but really it is the music that matters here. Conan have done the almost impossible and become a kind of Iron Maiden-esque entity within the doom scene. They don't sound like anyone else, have their own unique artwork, tour endlessly and write about things their audience is interested in. They are unique and whilst being labelled “doom” they operate in a field of one.

Opener “Prosper On The Path” is massive in sound, the contrasted vocals of Jon Davis and Chris Fielding work superbly and the drum sound is absolutely immense- the playing of Johnny King also deserves mention as it has slotted right in with the band and added an extra dimension to their sound. Conanwork their magic by weaving soundscapes and moods rather than catchy tunes. It's riff worship, it's “the sound” but despite all their success (and what is effectively brand identity), they won't be troubling the radio airwaves anytime soon. Provided this is no problem for you, then the likes of “Eye to Eye to Eye” will bludgeon you effectively and introduce no small amount of time changes into the bargain. The throwaway grind of “Paincantation”is a huge departure, but only a brief one. The rest of the album takes things back to low and slow territory- with fast bits, of course- that have been part of the sub-genre since Sabbath.

Interestingly, there is nothing that extends beyond seven minutes here and of the seven tracks, perhaps “Amidst The Infinite” feels epic- but is not necessarily so. Certainly, the tempos are low and the riffs are creeping horrors in places. Chris Fielding has excelled himself with the production; it really is fantastic. It is Conan's best sounding record, which is saying something as they have all been sonic terrors. It is as huge as “Blood Eagle” and “Revengeance” but with more clarity and power.

Advance single “Volt Thrower” is the most immediate track on here, with its off kilter rhythms and head nodding groove, finding the band sounding almost like High on Fire and is a great track. It's vicious as well as huge. “Vexxagon”is similarly insistent and swinging and again shows Conan to be more catchy than you might have expected. Truly, this is headbanging stuff.

Just like that, the beastly bass groove of “Eternal Silent Legend” ushers in the last track on the record. Only seven tracks, but is there any need for more? For me, a little of Conan can go a long way; six tracks proper is about right. The live bonuses are well performed and sound fantastic- but they are superfluous to requirements and are just cool to hear/nice to have as add ons... come to think of it, they are quite literally bonuses!

All fans will have their favourite Conan album. For me, it is “Blood Eagle” and “Existential Void Guardian” has not changed that so far. It is a close second, I'll say that. I prefer this to both “Monnos” and “Revengeance” as it shows the band doing what they do best. If anyone wanted to hear Conan for the first time, I could not argue with directing them to this masterful work. I am enjoying the record hugely; I'm reviewing this after buying the CD. I heard the stream, liked it and wanted to own it. I'm glad I did, as Conan need all our support if heavy music is to press on effectively. We need leaders as well as followers. They have become standard bearers of sorts and even if you don't like them... you know them when you hear them. Such is their power and the source of appeal. They have “something” and have managed to capture that “something” in the studio again. No mean feat.

“Existential Void Guardian” is available here



Band info: Facebook|| Bandcamp

VIDEO PREMIERE: Ukranian progressive stoners Stoned Jesus debut "Hands Resist You"

On September 7th STONED JESUS will deliver their next solid load of progressive stoner rock on Napalm Records entitled “Pilgrims”.  With their fourth album the Ukrainian trio offers much more than your usual Kyuss wannabe or your average desert session band and let’s face it Kyuss hasn’t but out a record for nearly 25 years and we need some fresh jams.

With “Pilgrims”, STONED JESUS have delivered a multi-faceted album mixing groove with noise rock elements, lots of proggy infusions and giant such as Mastodon and Melvins come to mind in terms of tone and texture.  Make no mistake STONED JESUS can’t be pigeonholed and “Pilgrims” is very fine album indeed.  The band comments on the new album:

"This record was inspired by our relentless touring and the feelings you get - or more precisely you lose - because of it. It's weird how disconnected one becomes when constantly surrounded by people. Musically it's pretty different from what we've done, it's more song-oriented but simultaneously more challenging than before - sonically and structurally"

Today THE SLUDGELORD is stoked to host UK premiere of STONED JESUS’ brand new video for “Hands Resist Him” which you can check out below

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW & TRACK PREMIERE: Monster Magnet, "Mindfucker"

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/03/2018

Label: Napalm Records

If you’re ready for a simple space rock record that’s sturdy, hooky and well written, take “Mindfucker” out for a spin. 

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

1). Rocket Freak

2). Soul

3). Mindfucker

4). I’m God

5). Drowning

6). Ejection

7). Want Some

8). Brainwashed

9). All Day Midnight

10). When The Hammer Comes Down

The Review:

Monster Magnet’s evolution has been fun to follow. Back in the day, when front man and key driving force of the band, Dave Wyndorf, got his band of psychedelic gods together, they got weird. As time progressed, the ‘Magnet remained a psychedelic powerhouse, but one that consistently moved forward from where they began. The days of long, drawn out and druggy jams are behind us. Now, we’re reveling in a period of shorter, leaner songs with big hooks. Fans of Monster Magnet are sometimes divided in the camps of “early” and “modern” Monster Magnet. There’s no need for these camps, though, because Monster Magnethas always been - and will always be - a band that knows when it’s time to get weird and when it’s time to rock out. Isn’t that what stoner rock is all about?’

So it’s now 2018, almost five years removed from Monster Magnet’s last studio album, “Last Patrol.” Where that album, and certainly the redux albums that followed it, brought both hooks and jams to the fold, this new album, “Mindfucker” is all about the rock and the roll. “Mindfucker” tells a simple story to the tune of compact riffs and songs that move pretty quickly. About half of the songs are around the 4 minute mark, which reflects the simple song structures.

But rest assured, simple isn’t bad, by any means. In the case of “Mindfucker,” simple is even somewhat a breath of fresh air. There’s that MC5 vibe in these songs and punk rock is never far out of reach. The hooks are firmly mounted and effortlessly carry the weight of the songs. Bob Pantella and Chris Kosnik play their asses off, running the sturdy rhythms up and down the dance floor.

Like any good Monster Magnet set list, the weirder tracks are spread out evenly between all the ragers. “I’m God” (exclusively streaming below) rears its head after the three songs that open the “Mindfucker” party. This track is the largest of the bunch, with a huge chorus that has Wyndorf stepping to the mic to proclaim that he, in fact, is God. Kind of a strange claim to make, sure, but Wyndorf’s lyrics have always been pretty out there, rather arrogant and more or less out of this world. After all, he delivers these lines with such conviction that he makes the lyrics work. The song uses every second of its 6:16 run time to fly off into space, in only the way that Monster Magnet knows how; Wyndorf at the helm, one foot on the monitor, colorful, flashing lights everywhere…all seen through a fish-eye lens.

The songwriting aside, the production of this album is also top notch. “Mindfucker” is a party, despite some of the themes in the lyrics. The way the guitars sound and how this is mixed with Pantella’s cymbal work, makes this record sound rambunctious. “Mindfucker” even goes so far as to sound like a live recording, one that has Wyndorf pulling in the crowd and having the audience scream their lungs out for the entire duration of the record.

If you’re ready for a simple space rock record that’s sturdy, hooky and well written, take “Mindfucker” out for a spin. Go on, let loose of the hopes that Monster Magnetare going to make another “Spine of God.” The band’s moved on and is having a great time doing it. Join them for the ride, you won’t regret it.

“Mindfucker” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Conan - “Man is Myth” (Early Demos)

By: Mark Ambrose


Album Type: Full Length

Date Released:17/11/2017

Label: Napalm Records

Like most collections of curiosities, “Man Is Myth” is not the entry point for those curious about Conan.  But if you’ve explored “Monnos”, “Blood Eagle”, and “Revengeance”, and want to explore the raw, developing style of one of the UK’s premiere metal bands, “Man Is Myth” is an interesting and occasionally thrilling addition to any advanced metal head’s library.

“Man is Myth”CD//DD//LP track listing:

1.       Battle in the Swamp (Rehearsal Room Demo 2009)

2.       Satsumo (Rehearsal Room Demo 2009)

3.       Krull (Rehearsal Room Demo 2009)

4.       Satsumo (Rehearsal Room Demo 2006)

5.       Gravity Chasm (Studio Demo 2012)

6.       Foehammer (Studio Demo 2012)

7.       Domed Iron Boss (Studio Demo 2012)

The Review:

Apocrypha, marginalia, and demo materials may be the realm that divides the enthusiastic fan from the pop culture obsessive.  While they were largely disseminated through tape trading (or bootlegs of official, unofficial, or highly suspect quality), the “alternate” versions of many songs, or entire albums, has become a boon to a record industry that is excavating the seams of extant material to repackage to the diminishing population of genuine music buyers.  In some cases you get real disasters: poorly mastered, volume boosted in ways that degrade the dynamic range that only true audio obsessives may understand, or (in the most nefarious cases) whole sections of songs re-recorded to nullify the contributions of ex-band members.  Occasionally you get the odd collection that captures the raw intensity of a lauded band, or maybe highlights a track that never found its way onto a “proper” studio recording.  In the case of “Man Is Myth – Early Demos”, the first compilation from modern doom legends Conan, there’s a bit of everything, particularly for the true Conan fanatic.

The first four cuts on “Man Is Myth” come from the odd “prehistory” of Conan, when the band existed as a two-piece featuring constant member Jon Davis and drummer Paul O’Neil, with a short tenure by Rich Grundy on drums in 2006.  After a hiatus in 2008-2009, the Conan that fans have come to know from albums like “Monnos” and “Blood Eagle”, with a punishing low end bolstered by a full guitar, drums, and bass power trio lineup, really began in earnest.  That being said, there’s some undeniable intensity and chaotic flair to the first half of “Man is Myth”.  A live 2006 rehearsal of “Satsumo”, featuring the only contribution by Grundy, is by far the rawest cut on the collection.  It’s definitely the sound of a project in flux, though the vocals are more discernable than those on tracks 1-3.  Those 2009 demo tracks, with Paul O’Neil more decisively ensconced behind the kit, ride on overwhelming guitar power, with just the lightest smattering of howling vocals in the background.  Its interesting stuff, no doubt, for people already committed to the cult of Conan.

The real standouts are the last 3 tracks, culled from in studio 2012 demos.  “Gravity Chasm” and “Foehammer” would later appear as fully realized versions on breakthrough album “Blood Eagle”, and the rhythmic interplay between Davis, O’Neil, and bassist Phil Coumbe show Conan as a properly thrashing band.  There’s a lot more polish and nuance to the recording here, especially with the added bass range, but the sheer vehemence and swagger of a live, occasionally sloppy Conan is undeniably exhilarating.  “Gravity Chasm” is a bit of a disappointment as it’s a mere segment of what would eventually be a nearly 8 minute epic, but “Foehammer” remains a mighty beast.  At nearly 7 minutes, it greatly expands on the album version.

The main attraction is “Domed Iron Boss”, a fifteen minute doom epic that is relentlessly cold.  It’s a spare, haunting song that rides central motifs so hard you can’t help but feel like smashing something in your path.  Even if this is the one essential track on “Man is Myth”, it feels like a lost classic – I would imagine the crushing final section whipping a crowd into a Neanderthal mosh frenzy in a live setting.  And when I put my glasses back on and shift into higher minded “music critic” mode, it’s an encapsulation of a now-defunct version of the band, with Coumbe and O’Neil having parted ways with Davis.  There was an undeniable energy of this iteration, though Davis’s efforts with various drummers and bassist Chris Fielding have continued to expand on Conan’smythic potential.

Like most collections of curiosities, “Man Is Myth” is not the entry point for those curious about Conan.  But if you’ve explored “Monnos”, “Blood Eagle”,and “Revengeance”, and want to explore the raw, developing style of one of the UK’s premiere metal bands, “Man Is Myth” is an interesting and occasionally thrilling addition to any advanced metal head’s library.

“Man Is Myth” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Satyricon - "Deep Calleth Upon Deep"

By: Daniel Jackson

Album Type:Full Length

Date Released:22/09/2017

Label:Napalm Records

 ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ is something of a spiritual successor to ‘Rebel Extravaganza’ in that the goal appears to have been to take an established sound and create the weirdest, artsiest version of it they could and there is evidence of a sweeping creative resurgence throughout the album as a whole.

‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Midnight Serpent

2. Blood Cracks Open The Ground

3. To Your Brethren In The Dark

4. Deep Calleth Upon Deep

5. The Ghost Of Rome

6. Dissonant

7. Black Wings And Withering Gloom

8. Burial Rite

The Review:

For most of you reading this; Satyricon requires no introduction. The band was among the most popular in Norwegian black metal dating back to the mid 90s. Opinions, as is often the case, vary as to where the band peaked creatively. For some, it’s their second wave black metal period from ‘Dark Medieval Times’ through “Nemesis Divina”. Others prefer the forward-thinking mania of ‘Rebel Extravaganza’ or the stripped down black n’ roll approach of the last 15 years.

For the purposes of this review, it’s worth pointing out that I believe their creative apex to be the period from ‘Dark Medieval Times’ through ‘Rebel Extravaganza’, with ‘Volcano’ being hit and miss, and everything since then being thoroughly middle of the road; accessible at the cost of any idea that might be exciting or interesting. While the band have never made a bad album, they’ve settled for “fine” for three straight albums, to the point that even the band themselves acknowledge that a change of direction was desperately needed. In the press materials for ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’, Satyr spoke to the need for the band to move on:

"Approaching this release, what I always kept in mind is that either this is the beginning of something new or it's gonna be my last record. If this is going to be the last, then it needs to be something special.”

If nothing else, it’s fair to say that this mindset has resulted in the band’s first truly exciting album in the last fifteen years. Contextually, ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ is something of a spiritual successor to ‘Rebel Extravaganza’ in that the goal appears to have been to take an established sound and create the weirdest, artsiest version of it they could. “Rebel Extravaganza” mutated and distorted 2nd wave black metal into something wild and wholly unique. Here, Satyricon twists the much more plain style of the last decade-plus into a truly engaging black n’ roll freakout. In fact, calling ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ “black n’ roll” feels like selling it short. While I may not have found the last several Satyricon albums all that interesting, they’d still cultivated their own unique sound, and each album was immediately identifiable as Satyricon. That identity remains intact here, despite forgoing the tropes and formula they’ve settled into over the years.

A sweeping creative resurgence is evident all throughout the album. Album opener “Midnight Serpent” runs a gauntlet of ideas, ranging from the conservatively black metal opening moments to the sprawling dissonant atmosphere of the song’s 2nd half. “The Ghost of Rome” is about as close as a black metal band has ever come to crafting their own version of late 60s psychedelic pop, or more recently, Queens of the Stone Age's “Another Love Song”.

The point is; it’s more evident than ever that Satyricon will never truly journey back to a conventional black metal sound. Waiting for bands to tap into whatever your perceived peak era for them might be is a recipe for disappointment. Some bands manage to pull it off, but they’re the exceptions. In Satyricon’scase, they’ve finally arrived at a new sound that’s as well-worth exploring as their early glory years. Progress for a band is a good thing, when it works. The road to this point wasn’t a smooth one, but they’ve gotten to where they need to be. They’re very different from the band we knew 20 years ago, but they’re every bit as interesting as they were back then.

‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ is available digitally hereand on CD/LP here.

Band info: Facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: "Controllers Destroyed" (Live) by Brant Bjork from the forthcoming album "Europe '16"

Welcome back the sweet scent of freedom. Breath in the greeheen! BRANT BJORK has come to revive your spirit: The Kyuss- and Fu Manchu legend has just announced his first ever live recording

From the opening guitar riff of "Europe '16", recorded in Berlin, one can sense the buzz of classic rock electricity that transcends into new spheres. This is controlled madness between trippy and doomy, groovy and sludgy!

Set for release September 22nd on Napalm Records, BRANT BJORK has now revealed the cover artwork and track list of his first and highly anticipated live record.  Not only that you can check out an exclusive track from the album below 

“This record is live. Live records are ugly and they should be. When a band plays live, they let their hair down. Live is all that really matters. There are those moments in life when everything is ok and these are the moments when you are doing exactly what your here on the planet to do. You're right where you are supposed to be with no shame, no fear, no regret, no envy, no hatred and no apology. I always say this band brings a feeling. The feeling is always primary and the sound, secondary. At least to me. In the book of Tao, there is a passage..."naming is the origin of all particular things". I use here the term ugly to refer to my naming of my particular relationship with my soundscape. my my my. Why the term ugly? Because its the opposite of pretty. As the popular saying goes, "It is what it is". As for my music, my band and this live record, I prefer to say, "it is what it isn't".” - Brant Bjork on Europe '16.

“Europe ’16” track listing

1. Buddha Time
2. Controllers Destroyed
3. Humble Pie
4. Stakt
5. The Gree Heen
6. Lazy Bones-Automatic Fantastic
7. Stokely Up Now
8. Dave's War-Dave's Peace
9. Biker No. 2
10. Freaks Of Nature
11. Low Desert Punk
12. Let The Truth Be Known-Jumpin' Jack Flash

To also celebrate the release of the record, you can catch BRANT BJORK on tour in  Europe here:

Live Rituals

04.08.17 GR - Almiros Magnisias / Los Amiros Festival
05.08.17 AT - Waldhausen / Lake on Fire
06.08.17 HU - Budapest / Tixa
08.08.17 DE - Hamburg / Sommer in Altona
09.08.17 DE - Stuttgart / Universum
10.08.17 CH - Duedingen / Bad Bonn
12.08.17 BE - Kortrijk / Alcatraz Festival
14.08.17 CH - Martigny / PALP Festival 

'Gree Heen Europe 2017' with special guest Sean Wheeler:

26.09.17    Stockholm | Debaser Strand
27.09.17    Stavanger | Folken
28.09.17    Oslo | John Dee
29.09.17    Gothenbourg | Sticky Fingers
30.09.17    Copenhagen | KB 18
01.10.17    Hamburg | Logo
02.10.17    Leipzig | UT Connewitz
03.10.17    Bielefeld | Forum
04.10.17    Amsterdam | Melkweg
05.10.17    Eindhoven | Effenaar
06.10.17    Pratteln | Up In Smoke
07.10.17    Aschaffenburg | Colossal
08.10.17    Brussels | Botanique
09.10.17    Rennes | Ubu
11.10.17    Bilbao |  Kafe Antzokia
12.10.17    Porto  | Cave 45
13.10.17    Lisbon | RCA Club
14.10.17    Madrid | Caracol
15.10.17    Barcelona | Bikini
16.10.17    Marseille | Jas Rod
17.10.17    Torino | Blah Blah
18.10.17    Ravenna | Bronson
19.10.17    Zagreb | Vintage Industrial Bar
20.10.17    Wien | Arena ( with Stoned Jesus + Beastmaker )
21.10.17    Munich | Keep It Low

Band info: facebook 

VIDEO PREMIERE: Topeka's The Midnight Ghost Train debut "Red Eyed Junkie Queen"

Hey folks I’m not Dororthy and we’re not in Kansas, but just like her trusty companion Toto, the ever reliable riff masters, Topeka’s THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAIN rolls again like a tornado strike, catapulting listeners to blissed out aural wonderland, with another cavalcade of distorted guitars and gravely vocals. Yes folks, follow the yellow riff road, because fans of their dusty, fuzzy tones, pounding rhythms, snarling vocals, and most of all, their passionate delivery rejoice,because their fourth opus titled 'Cypress Ave.' is set to be released July 28^th 2017 on Napalm Records, and will surely become their most diverse and suprising album to date: Never before has THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAIN shown this side of themselves. Their new album 'Cypress Ave.' proves that they 're not just another rock band, they're explorers, risk takers, and true artists. This is not a departure, but an expansion, and will please both old and new fans alike.

Now THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAIN premiere their first music video for the track 'Red Eyed Junkie Queen', taken from the band's upcoming album 'Cypress Ave’ which you can check out below.  But before you do, here is what vocalist & guitarist Steve Moss had to say about the track.  Can you dig it?!

"This video is a way to show fans what it's like inside the studio with us, a sort of behind the scenes video. We took some cameras into the studio, and just shot random acts, and different pieces of the process over the course of the two weeks we were in there. Believe it or not, this is by far the heaviest song on the album. The driving heaviness of it it just seemed to fit the feel of working in the studio."

'Cypress Ave'  will hit the streets on July 28^th and will be available on CD, LP Gatefold + Digital Download via Napalm Records, and make no mistake it is an absolute must for every blues- and rock fan. Be prepared, because THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAIN are about to return with their most diverse and uniquely sounding album to date!

Pre-Orders of 'Cypress Ave.' are now available here. 

“Cypress Ave” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Tonight

2. Red Eyed Junkie Queen

3. Glenn's Promise

4. Bury Me Deep

5. The Watchers Nest

6. Break My Love

7. Lemon Trees

8. The Boogie Down [ feat. Sonny Cheeba ]

9. Black Wave

10. The Echo

11. I Can't Let You Go [ Bonus Track ]

To support the band's upcoming album, THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAINwill hit the road this year again, kicking off with an extensive US tour this summer. Make sure to catch THE MIDNIGHT GHOST TRAINwith their energetic live ritual here:

24.08.17 US - FT Worth, TX / The Grotto

25.08.17 US - Austin, TX / Swan Dive

26.08.17 US - Lafayette, LA / Boom Boom Room

27.08.17 US - New Orleans, LA / Siberia

28.08.17 US - Jackson, MS / TBA

29.08.17 US - Hattiesburg, MS / TBA

30.08.17 US - Muscle Shoals, AL / TBA

31.08.17 US - Pensacola, FL / Handlebar

01.09.17 US - CHarlotte, NC / Snug Harbor

02.09.17 US - Atlanta, GA / Masquerade

03.09.17 US - Richmond, VA / Banditos

06.09.17 US - Baltimore, MD / TBA

07.09.17 US - Washington, DC / Atlas Brew Words

08.09.17 US - Philadelphia, PA / Kung Fu Neck Tie

09.09.17 US - Brooklyn, NY / Gold Sounds

10.09.17 US - Connecticut / TBA

11.09.17 US - Providence, RI / Firehouse 13

12.09.17 US - Boston, MA / O'Brien's Pub

13.09.17 US - Rochester, NY / TBA

14.09.17 US - Cleveland, OH / TBA

15.09.17 US - Indianapolis, IN / Radio Radio

16.09.17 US - Detroit, MI / The Rockery

17.09.17 US - Kalamazoo, MI / TBA

18.09.17 US - Madison, WI / Frequency

19.09.17 US - Green Bay, WI / Gasoline

20.09.17 US - Dubuque, IA / The Lift

21.09.17 US - Chicago, IL / Reggie's Music Joint

22.09.17 US - Lexington, KY / Green Lantern

23.09.17 US - Newport, KY / Southgate House Revival

24.09.17 US - Nashville, TN / TBA

25.09.17 US - Charleston, SC / TBA

26.09.17 US - Raleigh, NC / TBA

27.09.17 US - Charleston, WV / The Empty Bottle

28.09.17 US - Canton, OH / The Buzzbin Shop

29.09.17 US - Dayton, OH / Blind Bob's

30.09.17 US - Pittsburgh, PA / Descendants of Doom Fest

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Warbringer - “Woe To The Vanquished”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 31/03/2017

Label: Napalm Records

Simply put, all the ingredients of the good side of thrash are here: big riffs, great production, soaring leads and aggressive vocals. It's a beast of a sound and the band will keep fans of Exodus, Testament, Death Angel et al happy all year. If you want some thrash, this one comes recommended.

“Woe To The Vanquished” CD//DD//LP track  listing:

1 Silhouettes

2 Woe to the Vanquished

3 Remain Violent

4 Shellfire

5 Descending Blade

6 Spectral Asylum

7 Divinity of Flesh

8 When the Guns Fell Silent

The Review

Warbringer return after their slick 2013 tour de force of “IV: Empires Collapse”, with this more extreme and gnarly effort. Bay area thrash is on the table here; this is for fans of Exodus and Death Angel.

There are blasts as well as thrash pacing (the title track), leads that sound very much out of Alex Skolnick's play book and an overwhelming feeling that you have heard this type of thing before... but that doesn't mean that you don't want to hear it again! Highlights are plentiful; the title track, “Remain Violent”, “Divinity of Flesh”...There is even an epic album closer in the shape of “When The Guns Fell Silent”.

As noted above, this is not as slick and, well, 'album-like' as its predecessor, but it is a feral collection of thrash songs played in the modern style, with every reference point harking back to the glory days of 1985-1990. It's violent and fun, that's for sure, whether it has the sticking power of “IV…” remains to be judged over time.

Simply put, all the ingredients of the good side of thrash are here: big riffs, great production, soaring leads and aggressive vocals. It's a beast of a sound and the band will keep fans of Exodus, Testament, Death Angel et al happy all year. If you want some thrash, this one comes recommended.

“Woe To The Vanquished” is available everywhere now



FFO: Exodus, Death Angel, Testament, Havok

Band info: facebook