CD Review: Wreck-Defy - Remnants Of Pain (Thrash, 2019)

Nothing had been announced before the release. Now Aaron Randall (vocals, ex-Annihilator) and Greg Christian (Bass, ex-Testament) both return to the scene with a oldschool thrash format that added all evolutional steps until today with it and also leaves room for cool moments and atmosphere.

The album cover tells us that some oldschool-vibe can be found inside of the package

Summary
This means that the songs are build up the way you are used to from your classics but some small pieces signalise that few but important parts changed for the better. First off the vocals rip it up. I love to hear what Aaron Randall can do with his voice. He's going on it the agressive way. Forget the commercial vox you've heard of him before. This one is real thrash all the way.

As for the all of the guitars and drums: they go a far more powerfull direction on this one. That's the modern parts I spoke of before. The whole album blows out the pure strength the musicians put inside of it. Today more of this can be captured than ever before. The producer Juan Urteaga did a great job on "Remnants Of Pain". This is raw energy going all the full album duration.

This goes especially for the drums. They are held a overall lighter way soundwise yet they give a heavy hitting note while listening.

Some tracks go a cool direction and a bit apart from the fast thrash blowing notes. "Art Of Addiction" is a groove-oriented one that share's a little easier feeling yet it's still thrashing stuff. Similar goes for "The Devide", a midtempo thrasher which sources much of it's fun through it's going straight all the way with a direct riff.  "Angels and Demons" also comes out of the speakers in a mixed way. Some parts are lighter while other times the riffs dominante, all packed in a more midtempo style.

All in all I would highly recommend this to all the thrashers out there. You'll get a lot of fun out of this one. While it's easy to quickly get into the sound of the CD it also leaves enough room for re-listening and discoveries afterwards. It's well worth your money and time.

Purchase-Link and Pre-Listening
"Remnants Of Pain" is sold the oldschool way on a CD with the typical look of such a thrash record (frontcover plus black backside with tracklist on it). You can order directly from Wreck-Defy via Facebook. One CD comes around for $15 CAD plus shipping and handling. If you're lucky enough you may receive it along with a free bumper sticker.

If you need to have it faster then there's the chance to pick up a download of the album through Bandcamp in a format of your choice. This means you can have the files at the same quality level like on a CD or in any other format that you prefer for mobile listening nearly instantly. Listen to the album right here.

CD Review: Sweeping Death - Astoria (Modern Thrash, 2017)

Unusual is the main word that describes this silver round of thrash the best.

Cover: Jeff Carr, (c) by Sweeping Death, used with kind permission

Summary
If you think that there are way to many thrash bands out there that sound the same Sweeping Death may give you back fresh hope. While their overall attitude is based on the classic sound it's the experimentation that gives the meat to the bone. I think of the way of the production. It's easier to enjoy their tunes - they are hard produced but not that heavy to enjoy. It's the vocals. They are loud but their are never harsh or rude but always fit to the noise. You may wander around in wonder listening to them the first time. Is this really thrash?

Yes, it is but seen from a different point of view. I like those new attempts on a classic way of the metal music. It's band's like Sweeping Death that dare to go new ways even where tradition may say that it's forbidden to do this. They don't care and go their own way.

You can hear the fun the band spreads round playing tracks like "Devils's Dance" - the compact riffs played fast combined with the punchy drums and vocals shouting it out. You can't help but need to bang your head. It put's a big grin on your face. It's easier feeling all the way and doesn't give this pressed dark feeling but lift's you up from your everyday sorrows.

Purchase-Link & Stream
I think that's something worth your reward giving some coins for the record. You can purchase the album via Bandcamp. A deluxe edition of the record with new coverart and a bonus track is available, too. Best of all have a ear on their offers right here in the stream.

I'm looking forward to see where this band goes next. "Astoria" sounds promising and no one knows what's on the guys mind while typing these lines. Let's hope they'll continue their couragous path.

Contact-Data
Finally see the band's website for extended band info and updates such as tourdates.

First audioclips from upcoming Annihilator album online

Does every good time have to end some or other day? Looks like it this way. At least it is like this with Annihilator. This time Dave Padden, for 11 years now the new vocalist and guitarist of the band decided to leave. He disliked being so long on the road and being away from his other duties. A great vocalist in my eyes - he could really sing all of the Annihilator songs very, very well. This includes the massive tracks from Never, Neverland.

The good side on this is that Jeff Waters is back on vocals again. I like his voice a lot on the albums "King of the kill" and "Refresh the demon" - those are amongst my favorites of the band and he has sung on both of them.

Waters also recruited "King of the kill" bass guitar player Cam Dixon for the new album "Suicide Society". Happily we can already hear how all of the changes sound like since the band has put out a album trailer. I think you'll be surprised about Jeff's vocals. 20 years after the mentioned records his voice has developed in a new direction - maybe you'll be surprised as much as I was...

The album is going to be released on UDR Records on 18th September 2015 followed up by a European tour in autumn this year. Go and see the band's Facebook profile for the exact dates and coming updates.

Full shows from Rock Hard Festival 2014 up for watching online

After putting out the live-stream as well as the big two round-up packages the german TV station WDR surprises us with a bunch of full shows added to the streaming archive of the legendary Rockpalast website.

You're now able to see legendary performances from Sacred Reich, Carcass or Obituary by just clicking on the corresponding link. A new window will open up and you can watch the show or select single songs from the set. The video from Blue Pills has been announced to be added later, I'll put the link here when it's online. Enjoy. :-)

Carcass

Sacred Reich

Obituary

Solstafir

Insomnium

Screamer

Triptykon 

Die Apokalptischen Reiter

Monster Magnet

Annihilator

Orphaned Land

Blue Pills

Round up of Rock Hard Festival 2014 to be broadcasted in two parts

This years Rock Hard Festival was massive, no question. I enjoyed the shows from Sacred Reich and Annihilator a lot. These bands know how to rock. :-)

German TV station WDR will broadcast a round up of the festival in their legendary Rockpalast concert series. It will be divided in two parts. Part 1 will be shown on the upcoming weekend in the night from the 15th to the 16th of June 2014 starting around midnight. Each issue will have a length of over three hours so there's a big bunch of music coming our way.

The following bands are included:

TRIPTYKON
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
MONSTER MAGNET
ANNIHILATOR
ORPHANED LAND
BLUES PILLS

Part 2 is set for broadcasting in the night from the 22th June to the 23th of June 2014 also starting around midnight. These bands are announced for the show:

CARCASS
SACRED REICH
OBITUARY
SOLSTAFIR
INSOMNIUM
SCREAMER

The TV station has a webstream of their programm running on the internet. You can find it here. I don't know about any region lock in there so you need to figure out for yourselves if it works. If you know anything certain please let me know in the comments below.

Update 2014/06/20: If you missed it you might have the chance to watch Part 1 of the best of show anyway. The TV station has uploaded it to the Rockpalast streaming archive. Have fun!

Heavy Metal Home TV were also at the festival to document the shows that were done at Friday. Besides some impressions from the festival and the camping site they also captured footage of the performances from NOCTURNAL, MIDNIGHT, ZODIAC and DECAPITATED. Check it out below:

Rock Hard Festival 2014 live stream shows selected shows

On the upcoming weekend Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June 2014 the Rock Hard Festival will take place. This annual festival is organised by the well-known german Rock Hard megazine and the focus is set on smaller bands playing in the beautifull surroundings of the Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Once again there will be a internet live stream this year showing some of the shows. The stream can be found at the side of the Rockpalast webpage. The following bands have been confirmed so far to be broadcasted along with the timetable:

Update 2014/06/06: Solstafir & Screamer added to the time-table on Saturday since they have been announced to be streamed as well.

Update 2014/06/10: Single videos from the performances of the bands have been uploaded to the Rockpalast homepage. Just click on the band names to jump to the site with the stream.
More stuff like interviews or pictures can be found on the main page of the event. Click on the band name and category to get the stuff you want.


Friday 06th June:

19:45h APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER.

21:30-23:00h TRIPTYKON


Saturday 07th June:

15:45- 16:30h SOLSTAFIR

14:45- 15:25h SCREAMER

18:15- 19:15h OBITUARY

19:45- 21:00h SACRED REICH

21:30- 23:00h CARCASS


Sunday 08th June:

13:00- 13:40h BLUES PILLS

14:05- 14:50h ORPHANED LAND

15:15- 16:00h INSOMNIUM

16:30- 17:40h MONSTER MAGNET

18:10- 19:20h ANNIHILATOR