Savage-Live N Lethal

The band’s enthusiasm in this live recording is both astounding and commendable. Just shows how good a live band can be. In all makes for a very enjoyable listen. A lesson in Heavy metal precision. The performance is honest, they deliver a cleaner, and accurate performance. So a seminal NWOBHM document and this is a cool one. An absolutely mandatory purchase for those with an interest as to why traditional Heavy Metal kick unexplainable amounts of butts.
www.savageband.com
facebook.com/clawhammerpr
Review by Paul Caravasi

Septagon-Deadhead Syndicate (2015)

High quality technical Thrash metal album. There is no problem in the riffing department here...in fact things can be learned from the riffing on this album. Vocals are in high gear here...The song structure is good...well balanced between mid-paced riffing and high energy riffing....great soloing and tons of memorable melodies...particularly found in the chorus. The album starts out with a short clean instrumental entitled "Ignite The Apocalypse" that carries an awesome melody. This is an interesting specimen of the outstanding song structuring put forth by Septagon on this album. Cool riffs....awesome melody and cool fucking vocals. This album completely rips. Get your hands on it at all costs.....and hold on to your testies....they will attempt to cower into your pelvic region upon hearing this Thrash Beast!!!
www.facebook.com/septagonband
www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
facebook.com/clawhammerpr
Review by Paul Caravasi

Evil Army-Violence and War (Ep-2015)

I'd first like to note that "Violence and War" is a great album title, and the cover art here is wonderful. I'd also like to state that this may just be the finest hour for speedsters Evil Army. Memorable tracks, and this Ep is just so fast and fun, for the most part.  "Army Of Doom" is the first metal injection of the disc, and it's quite intense, catchy riffs like a wilder, uncouth Destruction. "The Assault" returns to a blood-crazed frenzy thrash barrage, breaking for speed riffing amidst the chug and crash of its verse rhythm. This new Ep sounds as it should, razor sharp guitars playing quite fast through much of the material, fast bass player and keeps the single-minded shred of Rob Evil anchored. The drums  are energetic for their day, and all of this combined makes Evil Army hold up well in today's metal clime. The lyrics are quite violent as most of the songs are quite good. This Ep stuck to the same basic style and it's a bit more cohesive as a whole and has a thicker guitar sound. This new release is absolutely irresistible if you like your music fast fast fast - get your fix of Violence and War NOW!
facebook.com/evilarmyofficial
robevil83@yahoo.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Estigma-Revenge (2016)

Powerful, Death/thrash metal called Estigma. Paul Pinto has proven to be one hell of a drummer; and this lineup is probably the best Estigma  line-up. I'm ecstatic to see the band back to the familiar form of a hungry, extreme metal machine. The album kicks off with "Revenge", a tremendously speedy riff galloping perfectly into my sensory chamber. Vocals are solid, what I find most engaging are the guitars - fast and furious, yet stylish with some great hooks - and I'm even more enthralled to find that this isn't a one or two-off occurence; the album is rife with such moments of musical lucidity. We seem to get a taste of old school metal but with a fkn solid production. Aside from a stellar production and revitalized musicianship, the added flavor of this album is the lyrical content. Social segregation, hate, pain, and a degenerative society are all covered with a swift, yet finely-crafted energy that never falls into trite predictability. The title track is destined to become an instant Estigma classic. After hearing this album I keep reminding myself that Estigma is back with a rancorous vengeance, my friends. What has happened to Estigma over the last years is a familiar sandtrap that too many bands fall into (family, jobs, etc....). I can't state any more emphatically how good this Estigma album is from start to finish and that makes me feel damn good. Estigma is a large part of my life, i remember i got their demo back in the late 90's when i moved to United States and listening that demo helped me thru hard times. See them return is both illuminating and thrilling. 11 killer tracks including songs from their early demo. I sincerely hope that the core of this line-up stays around for a while. For me, I think this album is fkn killer. Good job by these Peruvian maniacs!
www.facebook.com/estigmaperu
Review by Paul Caravasi

Condition Critical-Extermination Plan (2016)

Face-melting, spine-wrecking, neck-snapping, bone-crunching, head-crushing, skull-fracturing, ass-kicking, gut-wrenching, mind-blowing … I could basically trot out all the tired clichés that are meant to explain just how hard something rocks and they would still go only halfway toward describing how insanely, utterly heavy this one is. Pure thrash Metal here, and yes, I am a thrash metal maniac. In all fairness, it must be said that Condition Critical did their homework with the release of this new album. Everything here sounds just perfectly crystal clear and extra crisp without ever appearing sterile or over-produced. Heaviness, speed, and brutality. I mean, listen to the entire album and tell me this doesn’t rip your face right off. Overall, the musical performance on this album is nearly flawless – the band plays as tight and precise as a piece of well-oiled machinery, even though they are not exactly masters of technicality and they're young guys. New Vocalist Ryan (also in Solstice) shouts are pretty impressive as well, conjuring up images of some mentally deranged wino who’s about to get loaded only to have his booze taken from him – in other words, he sounds seriously pissed off and very menacing. Tony Barhoum does a great job on guitars along with Ryan Taylor. Oh, and as far as the drums are concerned, what a killer drummer Ryan donato is. Just like the guitarists he doesn’t necessarily wow you with finesse and exotic timing patterns, but he can seemingly hit his snare faster than a machine gun spews forth bullets, Bass player Mike Dreher kick your ass and you're here for even more mayhem. Well, heaviness and brutality are obviously here and are the ingredients needed to create a great album. they have secured a place in the metal scene right now as one of the heaviest thrash outfit of 2016. This ain't for the kiddies. You mallcore kids may want to avoid this & stick with whatever shit is currently brOOtal for your sensitive little ears. Leave stuff like this to us adults who can handle it and the new generation of true metalheads. Pure fucking headbanging mayhem. 100% hands down, one of the best thrash metal albums of this year. If you don't have it, GET IT! Wholeheartedly recommended. Best tracks: the whole damn thing, from beginning to end !
www.facebook.com/ConditionCriticalNJ
conditioncritical0@gmail.com
Review by Paul Caravasi

Savage Master-With Whips and Chains" (2016)

Savage Master is a traditional heavy metal with female vocals, Stacey Savage is a very powerful singer and a joy to listen to. "With Whips and Chains" is a killer track, actually catchy and fun to sing along with. The guitar melody is very 80's at times. This is a good song to play when you're thinking about your worst enemy, well in case you have one? ,maybe my favorite song on the album. Stacey sounds very aggressive here which gives a great overall feel to the song. "Path of the Necromancer" is a killer tune as well, keeping their traditional heavy metal sound. So when it comes to the music, well, it is basically great sounding metal with enough heaviness. One thing this band has is the amazingly well-composed guitar playing. The style of Savage Master is nothing we haven't heard before but it's definitely good for some headbanging. So if you're a fan of old school metal you'll enjoy listening to this album. Well done guys !
www.facebook.com/savagemaster666
www.facebook.com/hrrecords
Review by Paul Caravasi

Metal Crucifier-(2016)

This release has enough balls to break buildings and is mind-blowingly fast. Metal Crucifier’s finest is found in this debut album. This is raw, fast, ugly, and heavy; what Metal’s all about. You should bow your head in shame if you don’t have this headbanging ecstacy of phenomenal proportions. Get ready to have your head blown straight out its socket, ‘cause here we go. It kicks off with a crushing-blistering guitars rip you apart and from here on you’re under their control. Thousands of deadly riffs will brutalize you till no end…well, the end of the album. Be warned though, vocalist has a unique singing style. He has a raw, raspy voice, but can definitely hit the high notes and godly screams. Tracks of pure speed with no signs of remorse. The solos on these tracks just simply shred. Plus, the bass is very audible. Grade A traditional heavy/speed metal. Riffs fly by you faster and crush you. The songs gets better as you continue to listen. The chorus part in the middle of " El Abominable" is pure evil. This album smash your skull in and finally the last song of the album will snap your neck in two. A myriad of aggressively fast riffs, earth-shattering drums, a lethal double-bass attack, extraordinary bass, and solos that impress and nearly outdo the gods themselves, this is what  Hell ride is all about. The all-mighty Lucifer himself commands you to buy this album and to bow down and worship its (and his) ever-lasting supremacy. And you must obey. These peruvian maniacs will destroy you without mercy. Heavy Metal is the law!
www.facebook.com/metalcrucifier
www.facebook.com/thrashirts
Review by Paul Caravasi