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

Betrayed - The Unbeliever (2021)

The mighty Betrayed…another cool thrash metal act from the chilean scene has managed to produce during these past years. The first track follows suit with the intricately woven, fast-paced rifforamas and blazing virtuoso leads, apocalyptic mean vocals. This is the ultimate technical shredfest, brilliant stomping mid-break and memorable chorus, also cavernous atmosphere make this piece a mandatory listen for thrash metal lovers. This album is a vigorous headbanger with pounding interludes. Vocals sound evil and full of hate on this record. The lyrical themes explored on this album deal heavily with political topics such as government and corruption as well as other horror themes like murder and nightmares. Overall a tremendous album.  In conclusion this is metal music for the thinking metal listener or someone looking for technical music filled with ferocity. This album made Betrayed be noticed as a ferocious force in the Southamerican thrash metal scene!

Standouts: "Panic Attack" "Looters Will be Shoot" and "Constitution"

betrayedcl.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/Betrayedcl

thrashbackrecords.bigcartel.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Catharsis - (Cassette Reissue 1996/2020)

This is a proper reissue from 1996. This is tightly played brutal thrash Metal, but that doesn't forsake a well placed good ol' traditional heavy metal melody or a mid-tempo break gearing towards a strong build up. The musicianship is immense. The guitars shred. The playing is tight, sharp and incisive. The leads are pretty much breathtaking as are the guitar brutality. Add to that a voice with a nice gnarl, some riot vocals here and there, a super tight rhythm section and you pretty much have a thrashers wet dream. Break out the beers and get ready to thrash!! Catharsis, Yes Catharsis,in fact this album got me by the balls and made me believe in thrash even more than before. Absolutely one of my favorite genres. Not only is this reissue aggressive, heavy, fast, psychotic and a battleaxe to the throat of any poser, this album is catchy and catches any thrash-lover by the ears. The first track let you know that you are in for a fucking helluva. This album is a headbanging masterpiece that will make your neck sore from the amount of headbanging it provides. This band is extremely underrated and many of the songs take a lot of influence from 80s thrash metal. I love just about every track on this release but my favorites would most likely be "Ritualized", "Isaac", and "...in Solitary". They pack a tasty thrashing punch. Every single second of this album is a fucking bloody massacre and shatters my expectations. If you love thrash metal and you want a banger to listen to, I highly suggest this Cassette. This Reissue represents all of what the extreme side of thrash should sound like. Pure aggression and headbanging fun for any major metalhead and deserves so much praise. No human should even think of avoid listening to it, it is 100% worth the listen and guaranteed to please your evil, aggression loving ears.

doomsdaystodayrecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi

Undergound Guerrilla - Compilation Cassette 2020

 

The majority of bands on this compilation sound like they were more influenced from noise rock and industrial rather than thrash death or doom. The first thing that should be mentioned about this compilation is the guitar tone in almost every band. It is very fuzzy, blurry, and distorted- but is super heavy and builds a huge wall of sound by itself. Along the guitar sound being heavy by itself, the riffs is produces are slow, chuggy, and sludgy but have a punk attitude to them at times which makes the compilation interesting and not boring. It is complimented by crunchy styles, drums and some aggressive vocals. It's a very weird compilation not in the worng way but it doesn't fall under any subgenre of metal- it has elements of sludge, punk, crust, noise and industrial. Each and every band here is different than the other, which is considered as a pretty good thing actually. It is raw and dirty but fits the compilation perfectly and enhances its heavy and sludgy essence. Mandatory for any sludge/doom/punk/noise/ industrial fans out there !!

doomsdaystodayrecords.bandcamp.com

Review by Paul Caravasi