Deathhammer-Onward To The Pits

While their debut remains as just another example of simplistic retro-thrash metal, Deathhammers sophomore album is a crushing monster that certainly runs in front line for the best thrash albums of the year. Deathhammer have achieved maturity and have produced a straightforward album with an evil feel to it. No bullshit, just vengeful thrash attacks played in really aggressive way. I can't say that this is the most old school sounding thrash album out there, but I am not at all complaining about that. Deathhammer have succesfully managed to eject a healthy dose of evil (a black metal edge), to their vocals and produced a prime thrash record.


As much as this record is vicious, it is also a great blend of old school speed, thrash and black metal, creating something that is fairly unique and quite energetic. This in many ways is similar to early Sodom and Kreator. The songs are fun yet totally outrageous and that alone is a factor that can pull the listener into the music. The riffs are thunderous and rapidly progress along with frequent blast beats that allow the songs to flow viscously and with ease. Deathhammer have managed to sound evil and catchy at the same time, much like recent black/heavy metaller ''Midnight'', only perhaps a little faster and thrashier. Deathhammer was able to put together a few things which quite doesen't ryme together, but despite that this record is a frantic assault of razor sharp riffage, simple yet effective and also equally old-school and evil sounding.

The cathiness of the music comes from the bluesy riffs and funky solo attitude. The tremolo-chord hybrid riffs along with the sinister black-esque vocals sum up to create a fast-paced mash up of notes and a barrage of pounding drum beats. The riffs are almost always furiuos and malevolantly fast, witha more heavy metal feel to it rather than thrash really. The song ''Emperor of Sin'' shows something quite the opposite though. It is not as straightforward or fun as the the other tracks and follow a more darkened tone in general. There are even certain doomy sections in the album to create a whole different atmosphere than the standard neck-spilitting vicious speed metal one. In this track the black metal edge of the album takes over and totally engulfs the album within a black cloak of a more complex and evil sound. The album worships well-known proto black metal acts such as Venom, Bathory and early Sodom. Though perhaps not as sordid of hefty in terms of riffage, the record has a high resemblance of the aformentioned lengends.

The vocals on this album are slightly muffled and can reach very high notes quite easily. The high-pitched and black metal influenced vocals delivery is a great spice to add to the mixture because it helps sustain a large amount of energy whenever the instrumental section starts to get repetetive, which by the way scarcely happens. The only noticible black metal influence is perhaps the vocals, because besides them, the album is pretty much plain, fast and fierce speed metal. Now the preoduction is also a nice touch, as it has a sort of old school vibe, though still managing to sound clean and audiable. The intro riff on ''Army of Death'' is like direct Venom riff because it has so much old school in it. The whole album in general may seem repetetive and similar as it progresses, but surprisingly it is able hold the level of dynamicism at a very high level. A level high enough to make a metalhead bang his head for nearly forty minutes.

At the end, I was very pleased with the results I had: Speed, evil and cathiness all in one cup, blended in a succesful way. If Deathhammer keeps this up, they might aswel get better and better with each record. While many bands sound brutally monstrous, they fail to achieve what Deathhammer have achived-fast paced music that vener ceases to entertain you. ''Onward To The Pits'' is fun, frenzied and also a great old-school speed/thrash hybrid with some unexpected influences thrown in aswel. If you dig Sodom, Midnight, Bathory, Venom, Kreator or Insinnerator then this is your thing.

Highlights:
Fullmoon Sorcery
Voodoo Rites
Emperor Of Sin
Seduced By The Flames

Rating: 89%

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Necroptic Slaughter-Weekly Album Review#1-Forbidden-Twisted Into Form

Forbidden's debut was quite obviously a classic Bay Area album for all of us. It helped Forbidden rise and become one of the biggest bands of the classic Bay Area scene. But there is another album released after that one that set the standards very high for Forbidden.

This album is of course 'Twisted Into Form'. Russ Anderson's vocals have never been so high-pitched and now he practically sounds like a god. The production is clean and sharp and fairly better than the debut. This album is a much more controlled release, with riffs much less savage and uncontrolled. Now the riffs have an even more technical edge and songwriting has also improved. These differences may not be any dramatic ones, but this is just the start.

The albums starts with the relaxing intrumental Parting of The Ways. Such a brilliant piece of acoustic music, showing that these guys aren't just angry thrashing guys, they're angry thrashing guys with talent. The second track Infinite starts with a twisted, melodic and dark riffs followed by a pounding verse riffs for you to bob your heads to. Infinite is followed by the magnificant Out of Body(Out Of Mind). A brilliant riff medley full of the most diverse and yet sometimes heavy riffs in the album. Filled with complex riffs spawning all across the whole song. Without a doubt Out of Body is one of the most enjoyable songs in the album.

You better hope you went Step by Step because you definetely don't want to miss this one. Step by Step is a fast and energetic tune with numerous progressive elements added to the thrashing riffs making the song a pretty headbangable one. It has some furious riffage, punishing and showing great musicianship aswel. I absolutely love the chorus of the song, which for some reason I find very well... cool. The song immedeatly follows up to the blazing and chaotic solo. Forbidden have a great style of soloing and have some of the most volatile and melodic leads in all of their songs.

After this, we immedeatly face the heavy intro riff of the self-titled song. What a riff. It may not seem very original but it equals an immedeate headbang for me, pure genius. After this we have another fierce song, which is R.I.P. And just like akk the songs in this album it combines some fast paced riffs with a fierce attitude which is essential in any good thrash band.

Overall this is albums and instant classic for me. I highly recommend it to fans of Megadeth, Exodus, Pestilence and alike. It containes some of the most diverse riffs and leads available to mankind. It is also one of my personal faves so if you like the classic Bay Area scene, get this album.

Rating: 91%