Deathstorm - For Dread Shall Reign (2020)

The songs here are furious, fast and catchy with the occasional mellow intros topped by face melting guitar work, the way real thrash should be.  Production is good. Hopefully this is only a preview of what is to come from these thrashers, it’s not the most original album but I dare say this is just as good if not better then the originals. This would be a crime for any fan of Kreator, Destruction, etc. to miss out on.

dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Toxik Death - Sepulchral Demons (2020)

Stalking the wild lands of Norway. Toxik Death has been steadily pumping out a few releases, becoming the paradigm of dirty and grimy metal. The band’s brand of heavy metal focuses on dirty speed metal and thrashing belligerence, with blackened edges all around, giving more than a few nods to the likes of Whiplash, Motörhead and Venom. Bringing a healthy mix of fast paced thrashers, furious yet melodic riffing to the catchy as hell, brutally mid-paced “Sepulchral Demons”, Toxik Death’s sound is energetic, dirty and a freaking blast to listen to. Despite the rather traditional sound that this band seems rooted in. The album is a barrel full of fun with its raging speed metal riffs and proto-black metal attitude, but it’s not without fault. The production is certainly is fairly rough, even for the style. Toxik Death’s sound is rooted in the grime and filth of the European scene, so you really shouldn’t expect a pristine and polished production, but cutting through the fog a bit could possibly work wonders. Fans of sleazy, grimy metal will no doubt find a new favorite in Toxik Death. Full of solid throwback riffing and influences full worn on sleeves, Sepulchral Demons isn’t anything groundbreaking, but hot damn does this rock pretty hard. This crew have struck gold and will no doubt become forerunners of one of the hardest hitting scenes in metal. From the cold lands they came. They're on fire at this point: when it comes to raging, speeding, filthy metal, this band are in a league of their own !!

toxikdeath.bandcamp.com

dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Bastard Priest - Vengeance (2020)

These maniacs from Sweden show a sense of brutality and groove. Lots of influences by the legendary Nihilist. Listen to it , so you can understand why this is so fkn awesome. It is fucking heavy with the guitars so low tuned and at the same time, very groovy. The vocals are incredible; they are directly from hell in their inhuman growls. The drums are quite essential but extremely catchy and thrash inspired in their continue up tempo. “March into obliteration ” is my favourite one in this album…incredible in the up tempo, stop and go and fast blast beats. The guitars are so crunchy in their down tuned style and the vocals even more obscure. The musicians create rotten melodies, violent and catchy at the same time; every song has its well cast riff that helps you recognize it among the other ones. Unbelievable speed and brutality . The solos are obscure and even better with the chainsaw guitars in the first place. I cannot say that I recommend this to any Swedish death metal fan out there because you should know it very well for its importance and beauty. Neverending violence for my ears!!

bastardpriest.bandcamp.com

dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Fallen Angel- All Salvation Lost (2020)

This is a reissue of the demos from 2014 and 2019. Ferocious, vicious sound. I think their most thrash and death metal influences of this band were brutalized by a high dose of early black/death metal to create this savage assault of rotting death metal. Vocals are on the borderline between screams and suffered growls, the drumming is fast as hell with brutal, primordial up tempo parts. This is total madness: fast as hell in barbaric style while the guitar parts are always easy but catchy and total impact. The solos are quite messy and very raw with tremolos and whistles and i fkn dig it. This release isn’t technical, isn’t melodic but it’s just fast, savage and brutal as fuck and a truly heavy influence for the future generation of young deathsters. A fist in the stomach !!

necruzrecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Old Coven - The Awake Of Ascendant Darkeness (2020)

Very few bands can present a sound so closely interconnecting death, thrash and black metal. But Old Coven does a fkn brilliant job bonding these styles. They sound like a raging beast with an arsenal of influences comparable to legendary bands such as Bathory, Messiah, Sodom, Possessed, and Sarcofago, they offer up some of the most truly twisted and groundbreaking material of this era. A lethal dose of complex riffing and wild shred fests. It's about as insane of a blackened thrash-oriented album as can be found in the late 80s, savage intensity. If early Messiah, Possessed and Bathory are on your radar, definitely Old Coven can be found at their border. Get your hands on this cassette if you love the extreme forms in metal. This release definitely pushes the boundaries of the aspects of extreme metal and is a very unique album with a very unique sound. Once again, this is not at all for casual death metal listeners or trendy pussies. Only for those who are licensed to feel this extreme way of expression for real. METAL RULES!!!!!!!!

necruzrecords.bandcamp.com

Review By Paul Caravasi

Fatal Sin - The Complete Recordings (2020)

Holy shit, this is amazing.  This is a fantastic compilation of demos from 1989 to 1990. But what really stands out about this release is how fundamentally catchy and well-written these songs were back in the day. Every tune here bursts with energy and enthusiasm, the result of a young band who hadn’t the chance to be Big. Yet they fkn rule !! Pretty much every riff on these tracks are winners, and each track has enough hooks to not only make the songs but fucking addicting. These guys obviously put a lot of time into making these songs as good as they could be, and it shows in every aspect here. This is old-school, catchy thrash metal at its absolute finest. The more primitive playing on these demos (though still pretty damn technical) definitely works in the band’s favor, perfect riffs, raspier vocals, guitar and bass work are top-notch of course, and the production on this reissue is surprisingly good; with its hefty tone and instrument clarity. What else do you really need? A classic !!

thrashbackrecords.bigcartel.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Final Prophecy _Re Awakening (The Demos 90-92' Reissue)

This is a cool reissue. demos from 1990-1992'. Remember back in the day demos? Well this Cd really captures the original sound of the band. It's well produced and mastered and everything sounds good. The band's performance on this cannot be denied. The songs on here are, tight Drumming is spot-on, the bass is accurate and audible, and the riffage is true,the vocals are really good.  It's a must-have for fans of the early 90's or old-school death/Thrash metal. And since ThrashBack Records is doing a great job reissuing these gems, you won't have to scour Ebay to hear these beauties for yourself. I was thinking the other day "Are there any bad death/thrash metal debut albums or demos from the late 80's early 90's? and, to be honest, at least among the more well-known bands of the genre, I can't think of any. This is certainly a kick ass band. I really enjoy it. So, yes, this one is absolutely their finest. Go forth, check them out, purchase, and experience a lethal dose of good death/thrash metal and Catchy as fuck. What else do you really need? A classic !!

thrashbackrecords.bigcartel.com

Review by Paul Caravasi