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: Dawn Ahead - A Trip Of Violence (Thrash, 2018)

A blasting pack of classic thrash mixed up with slightly modern touches.

The cover of the "A trip of violence" EP, (c) by Dawn Ahead

This mini album is a display of potential. You can feel at every corner that the band is giving full gas. Just do yourselves a favor and skip track one. It's the only weak track on here because it's simply to trivial and usual. As of track two and onwards the real journey begins.

It's a feast of classic pounding thrash numbers most of the time. Two songs also go the more midtempo direction something warmly welcomed to add some change. It's those numbers that the band shows that they can do more than thrash all on it.

From all the noise the vocals stand out. They go through the full range that a vocalist can do. It's this what I would describe as slightly modern in here. So you'll get it all from clear to grunty from loud to silent notes.

The other musicians do well, too. They add the classic thrash formula to the tunes. Think of old Testament in the style of the track "Apocalptic City" from the first effort of the Bay Area veterans ("The Legacy") and you'll quickly know what I'm writing about.

If you're in a agressive mood this one perfectly fits in. Pick up your copy for only 5 Euro plus shipping and handling from the band's homepage directly. I've been told that more is in the makings so keep some eye on Facebook. Dawn Ahead are surely a pack to see live. I hope I can check them on stage some other day.  As a teaser listen to the title track below.

Album Preview: Cut The Architect's Hand - Thus Always To Tyrants

Some time ago we featured the US thrash 'n' death band Cut The Architect's Hand on our Facebook page. The guys offered a blast of furious thrash anthems on their Bandcamp page so it was a fast decision that they should be presented on there with a post.

In the meantime the combo entered he studio once again to bring on new blasting tracks in the form of the "Thus always to tyrants" album. We had a ear on two of the new tunes and here is what came along.

The cover of the new Cut The Architect's Hand record, (c) by Cut The Architect's Hand, used with kind permission

The whole thing starts out with a typical number called "Tried by war, decided by victory". It's a smasher, direct in your face attack that reaches your ears. The band reminds me of Testament as the San Francisco thrashers were in their Demonic era but with a bit more dirty and rough sound. This should be warmly welcomed by all those looking for a way to let all their agressions out in a positive way to have a redemptive feeling in the end. 

The second one "Surrounded By Ghosts" does it quite different. While being powerful and feeling riff-packed it plays around with tempo variations and throws in unusual bass guitar elements. This comes around a bit more detailed and finer woven and calls for a re-listen. It's sort of progressive thrash at times. I have not heard such structure in a long time and it was a big pleasure to find something like this. It's my favorite of the two preview numbers and makes me curious to hear what the new record will sound like in the end.

The new record is set for release on 23 March 2018. Finally follow the gang further on Facebook to be notified of upcoming shows and more news regarding the release.

Here is a stream of the new thrash tunes:

Wacken 2016 livestream coming up feat. full Iron Maiden set

It's this time of the year again! Wacken Open Air will soon start and celebrate three days of Heavy Metal music. For all those who cannot make it there or didn't had the chance to get their hands on one of the tickets that sold out quickly at the blink of the eye I've got good news. :-)

That's how live shows used to be recorded back in the analogue age. Good old VHS tape, I still love it.

Arte Concert has announced to stream a good amount of shows through a internet livestream. Amongst the bands that have been listed to have their shows included on the stream are metal legends Iron Maiden who will perform a extended set which will see them close the touring circuit for the "Book Of Souls World Tour".

But I'm also glad to see that smaller bands will also find the way on the screens of the users. Here's the schedule so far, all times are MEST.

Update 08.08.2016: If you missed out the whole thing don't worry. Most of the shows are currently up in the archive of Arte Concert as video on demand. But don't wait too long since these stuff mostly is only online for a limited time.

Update 04.08.2016: The playing times have slightly changed. Iron Maiden will do a shorter set, the same goes for Therapy? and one more show from 0:15-00:45 has been added. It's still not confirmed which act will be streamed at that time but I think it will be revealed soon. The schedule below has been updated with the latest info.

Thursday, 04.08.2016

16h50-17h35 Henry Rollins

17h40-18h05 Hämatom

18h10-19h25 Saxon tbc

19h30-20h30 Panzerballett

20h35-21h25 Phil Campbell’s All Starr Band

21h30-23h30 Iron Maiden

23h35-00h15 Therapy?

00h15-00h45 (tba - to be announced)

00h45-01h00 Born to Lose, Lived To Win (A Farewell to Lemmy Kilmister)


Update 05.08.2016: Some changes again. First of all: the link to the stream for today has been changed to this subsite. Bullet For My Valentine will not be streamed since the artist didn't gave their permission. The Saxon show will be broadcasted instead. The Tarja set has been shorted. 


Friday, 05.08.2016

16h20 17h20 Entombed A.D.

17h25-18h25 Axel Rudi Pell

18h30-19h45 Eluveitie

19h45-21h00 Saxon (Replay)

21h10-22h15 Tarja

22h30-00h00 Blind Guardian

00h15-01h30 Ministry

01h45-03h00 Testament


Update 06.08.2016: The times for the today's schedule have been changed and some bands been removed from the list. The timetable below has been updated to the latest info available.
Additionally german TV station 3Sat will broadcast live via TV and maybe also through the stations own Livestream directly from the event starting at 20:15h (MEST). They will show footage of  Steel Panther, Triptykon, Blind Guardian, Tarja and Ministry.

Saturday, 06.08.2016

15h50-17h05 Borknagar

17h05-18h20 Metal Church

18h20-19h35 Therion

19h40-20h55 (tba)

20h55-22h10 Steel Panther

22h10-23h25 Triptykon

23h25-00h40 Clutch

00h40-01h55 Arch Enemy

As always check back here often for updates since all the bands and times are subject to change or see the Facebook page for this blog.

The stream itself will be located at this page of Arte Concert.

Hellfest livestream coming up next weekend

Finally we arrived at wednesday - the middle of the week. Time to see what the weekend may bring. This time you're in for another treat. :-)

Hellfest 2016 is coming to a screen near you.

The french Hellfest is going to be broadcasted in 2016 and big and small bands have already been confirmed to have their sets shown online. Currently the schedule looks like this:

Friday 17th June 2016 (all times MEST)

Altar & Temple Stage

18:35 Inquisition
19:30 Sacred Reich
20:30 Korpiklaani
21:35 Overkill
22:40 Aura Noir
23:45 Testament
00:45 Abbath

Mainstage

17:40 Turbonegro
18:35 Bullet For My Valentine
19:40 Mass Hysteria (Différé)
20:45 Volbeat
22:05 Dropkick Murphys
00:45 The Offspring


Saturday 18th June 2016

Altar & Temple Stage

17:40 Entombed A.D.
18:35 Archgoat
19:30 Asphyx
20:25 Moonsorrow
21:20 Terrorizer
22:15 Primordial
23:15 Napalm Death
01:00 Dark Funeral

Mainstage

17:40 Sick Of It All
18:35 Joe Satriani
19:30 Disturbed
01:00 Korn


Sunday 19th June 2016

Alatr & Temple Stage

17:40 Insomnium
18:35 Taake
20:30 Empyrium
21:30 Grand Magus
22:35 Enslaved
00:45 Deicide

Mainstage

15:50 Tarja
17:40 Blind Guardian
19:40 Amon Amarth
20:45 Megadeth
22:05 Ghost

You can find the overlook page right here on the ARTE concert page. Just select the date and stage you want to see and the link will take you to a subpage with the stream on it.

Underneath every stream you can also find the updated schedule for each broadcast. Things may be changed so make sure to check in every here and there to keep up to date.

Angerhead offer free download and insight from upcoming EP

How will things continue in the thrash sector in the upcoming months? The year is still young and for sure you thrash metal heads out there can't wait for brand new stuff to check out. :-)

Angerhead who are based in San Jose are currently working on their next EP with Juan Urteaga who is well known for his work with legends such as Machine Head and Testament. The output will be entitled "Fueled by Rage" and the band has released a nice preview into the record these days along with a free download of the Motörhead classic "Iron Fist" which will be part of the EP.

The cover of the upcoming EP "Fueled By Rage", (c) by Angerhead, used with kind permission

Angerhead guitarist Eric Beard previews the tracks of "Fueled by Rage" in a breakdown for each song:

"We decided to go back in with Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Testament) for the new EP. He worked with us on our 2nd EP “Headful Of Hate”. Juan is metal through and through. He has worked with a lot of Bay Area bands and friends so its a good fit for us.

The EP starts out with "So Cold". This is probably our most sludgy song and also the last song in our live set. Downtuned, full of twists and turns, It is a definitely crowd pleaser and is heavy as fk!

The second song is one of oldest song I’ve written, "Face The Fear". The song has been a staple with me for a long time. I've done it in a few different ways and with other projects. I've even done it with a jazz feel and the song still holds up!! haha. I really enjoy the Angerhead version of it.

The 3rd song is called "Legacy of Hate". This is the longest song we’ve ever written. It was one that came together fully as a band and one of the favorites of the new EP.

The 4th song is "Take Me As I Am" and its a barnburner, kicks your ass from start to finish.

The Last song on the EP is a cover of Motorhead’s "Iron Fist". Paul and I loved this song, even before Ace of Spades when we were growing up, so we decided it was right. We have been seeing a lot of bands doing Ace Of Spades and wanted to do something different. RIP Lemmy. A True Legend!!"

You can download the track for free right here.

Make sure to stay in touch with the band about the upcoming release through their official Angerhead website and Facebook page.

For all streaming fans here's the Reverbnation player with the song:

Warfield release old-school thrashing video for "Barrage Fire"

Allright, the weekend has finally arrived for all of us. The perfect time in my eyes to let some pressure burn that has been built up in the recent days. One of the best ways to do so in my eyes is to grab some good old thrash classics and then headbang like there's no tomorrow. :-)

Happily young bands are still around that haven't forgotten all the lessons of the classic past but also maintain the style with adding own trademarks to the typical rough and pushing sound of this metal genre. A good example for that are Warfield from Germany.

(c) by Warfield, used with kind permission

While their sound reminds me on a first listen a lot of old school Bay Area bands and german classics such as Sodom or Destruction it also quickly becomes clear that they've added a straight forward feeling to the sound. It's not that monotone soundwise it goes with more diversity and most of all it's more direct and heavy leaving behind everything that could lead to a feeling of "the band has fiddled around to much with this and that". It's easier to go out of yourselves with the music. Just try it with the video below and have fun.



Lyrically the band set's a focus on political and social mistakes and also keeps a eye on the wars going on these days.

The band has put out a EP in 2014 entitled "Call To War" which you can purchase right here. 

You can see Warfield live during the following shows in Germany:

10.10.15 Zweibrücken
11.12.15 Mainz
16.01.16 Landau
12.02.16 Kaiserslautern

Also make sure to check out their social sites such as Facebook, Youtube or BackstagePRO.

CD Review: Cyrence - The Hospital

Note:  If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please drop me a line or two in a E-Mail. Please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I appreciate new suggestions very much so don't hesitate to contact me. I'm also interested in band news / updates / tourdates so keep the stuff coming. Thanks!

If you're having troubles writing in English please send me a E-Mail in your preferred language or use the free Google Translator to transfer your message to English. I also use that tool, it's of course not perfect but I think it will mostly likely work out for our purposes.

Short Introduction

Cyrence are a young band from Munich,Germany. They play Melodic Thrash Metal in the vein of Testament (their latest releases) and Metallica. Yet their style is modern and unique, there are no boundaries. You will enjoy parts that are neckbreakers as well as clean, almost psychedelic moments, always maintaining the right amount of heaviness, groove and melody.  In their lyrics they mostly talk about apocalyptic topics. The band started out with a demo entitled "Endtime stories" in 2011. Now in 2015 they are back with their first EP which see's the day of light today on 27th March 2015.

(c) by Cyrence, used with kind permission

Summary / Purchase & Contact Links / Album Player

This EP is a absolute surprise, didn't exspect such a smasher when I first heard the title track. It blew me away! A pure quality release. This goes for the heavyness as much as it goes for the ideas the band developed for the songs itself. The tracks are outworked very detailed and with much inspiration. They are often brutal but never miss this piece of intelligence that makes them something special. 

The songs even let you relax and take you to a different place. You just need to bring some time to be able to completly enjoy this EP. The songs don't offer their full potential on the first run, they often need a second one. But that's even more a sign of quality in my ears. The sound comes with full blown quality. Go and get this diamond!

You can buy the record at the Bandcamp page of Cyrence for 7 Euro. Enjoy the full album stream below to get a idea of the sound of the band. Physical copies and T-Shirts are available at the shows (for example tonight 27th March 2015 in Munich at the Sunny Red - CD release show with 2 other bands).



The band also has a own webshop in the makings where you'll be able to buy physical copies of the album as well as T-Shirts through the internet. I'll update the review with the proper links and details so make sure to keep an eye on this review page if you're interested (just set a bookmark to this page and check back every here and there). Or make sure to follow the band through the linked websites for the announcement and links.

Update 2015/04/01: No april fool's joke - the webshop of the band has opened it's gates! You can purchase the album their for 7 Euro plus shipping and handling and order a band T-Shirt with the logo of Cyrence for 10 Euro (plus shipping and handling). There's also a bundle offer up there with the CD and the Shirt together for 15 Euro plus the fee's for postage and handling. You can choose between several sizes for the T-Shirt.

Also make sure to keep track on this band via their homepage, Facebook or connect with them through the Twitter network.

Track-by-Track Review

01 A New Beginning

Clear and very melodic intro. Things are starting to make me nervous goes through

my head while listening this. You can't wait on what's to come...

02 Dystopia

A long and stretched brutal intro rips up the EP. Very hard and pushing track,

kicking it in very heavy. Very remniscient to Metallica in their Ride the lightning times.

Partyl it also reminds a bit of the newer material of Testament with the hymn-like

sung refrain. Very raw and hard track. The end fades a bit unusual with clear guitar 

giving the last notes. This track needs a repeat to be fully understood.

03 This Life

More straight track. Also very fast, dark and hard. Vocals are laid down a bit deeper.

Short and fast solo section. The track is dominated mostly by the changing vocals.

Very cool - while the rhythm and guitars mainly keep it straight forward and

constantly pushing the vocals are with all the diversity that is laid inside of them

the element that really moves the song forward. This band has ideas no question!

(c) by Cyrence, used with kind permission

04 The Hospital

Clear and slow beginning. It fastly explodes into a straight double-bass smasher

It changes furthermore into a direct riff-hacker in the tradition of Metallica. I somehow

had to think back to the all-time classic "One" while listening to this. A positive

thought!

05 I won't fall

A stomping intro going over to a fast riff-ripping-track. The riff is kept simple

and the whole song straight forward. Vocals come in very rough but also clear.

The last third of the track is set in a more midtemo rhythm. 

06 You kill me

The band is going straight all on it. A direct and heavy kicking song with a 

different refrain that makes it remarkable. A bit shorter than the previous tracks

but that's welcome after the longer songs.

07 Purity Control

Very hard neckbreaker, going brutally to the point. The solo section surprises

with a slower introduction while the solo itself keeps it high-pitched and leads

back to first groove. A perfect round up and kick out for the release. 

Southern Front ask the sense of revenge in their new video

Southern Front are a purely thrash-determined band from Austin, Texas. For all of you guys out there loving Testament, Slayer and Pantera this band will be a fest. They've recently released a brand new video for the track "Face down" taken from the new album "Death Throes".

(c) by Southern Front, used with kind permission

The great thing is that the track reminds me a lot of Testament in their phase while they released "Low". It's pure power going straight forward with clear, yet very hard vocals in the style of Pantera. This mixture goes very heavy but the double axe guitar players add a lot with the traditional yet also technical and skilled playing technique reminding me of the old Slayer songs.

A cool feature is that both play left-handed something you don't see very often but it looks great. Another cool thing is that the video tells a story and and leaves one with a surprise behind.
It's in my eyes the question if revenge really makes sense at all in life... But best of all you can check it out for yourselfs:


The band is going to start a new mini-tour cycle in their hometown area in Texas already starting TODAY. Here are the dates:

March 7th. @ Dirty Dog Austin TX.

March 21st. @ Sweetwater Austin TX.

April 17th. @ Fitzgerald's San Antonio TX.

May 22nd. Arcadia Bar & Grill Houston TX.

Follow the further band activities on Facebook or check out their official homepage.

CD Review: MONSTER - The Arrival

Note: If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please drop me a line or two in a E-Mail.  Please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I appreciate new suggestions very much!

If you're having troubles writing in English please send me a E-Mail in your preferred language or use the free Google Translator to transfer your message to English. I also use that tool, it's of course not perfect but I think it will mostly likely work out for our purposes.

Short introduction

MONSTER started as a band in the summer of 2011. All members had some experience that they brought in from their previous bands so they knew they wanted to do something in the Thrash metal direction. They released their first demo back in 2013 as a free download through the streaming and download plattform Soundcloud. After some time guitarist Dimi Weis left the band but was replaced some time after with Klaas Olthoff. The band has released their first full length album in Juli 2014 on Souncloud also free of charge for everybody to pick up.

Short Summary / Player / Download Link

The album is great, there's absolutely no doubt for me. They remind me a lot of the old Slayer but with a sound of today's Testament and some decent Death metal influences. The sound is heavy, dark but also melodic and most of all it is a very diverse and versatile record if you give it some proper rounds of listening.

You will discover that besides the obvious brutal elements there are a lof of fine subtile elements put inside this piece of music that make it well worth your time. Even if you have a limited download amount I strongly recommend to pick it up. It's fully professionell produced and recorded and comes without taking a cent out of your pockets.


Update 2014/11/20: Finally there's a chance to get a original copy of the album on a physical CD! You can order your CD by sending a Email to the band at monsterorder@gmx.de  One CD will cost you 7 Euro including shipping and handling when you live in germany, worlwide higher shipping fees have to be count in. A CD costs 9 Euro when you order to a adress outside of germany.

Please also consider to share the word on it and/or give the band's Facebook page a like at least in return. They also have proper band T-Shirts and girlies to order for a low price so you may support the band that way if you like. You can ask them directly via E-Mail for more details. Besides that you can also follow them on Soundcloud.

Rewind to Wacken 2013 and 2012 with german TV station zdf kultur

It has just been announced that Wacken Open Air 2014 will be broadcasted by the german TV station 3Sat live. Great news!

For all those of you who would like to re-live some of the (hopefully) sweet memories of the both past events I've got great news as well:

German TV station zdf.kultur will broadcast stuff from Wacken Open Air 2013 and 2012 on the upcoming Saturday night 19th to 20th of April 2014.

For exact timetable and bands see the notices below, all times are german time. Maybe these stuff can also be seen through the webstream of the TV station at the online-webstream of the station but I don't have proper information if there is a region-lock active so go and just try your luck.

Update 2014/04/20: Missed it out? The TV station still streams all the shows on demand for free. Same here with region-lock so just click on the artist name to see if it works outside germany,too. Bandnames without a link seem to have given no permission for streaming.

Besides that there are many more goodies to find there,too. Just click on this search-string to show off what there is, for example interviews but also the big cut-together shows seem to be still up for viewing. Keep in mind that this might only last for a limited time, so better hurry.

20:15 Wacken 2013: Alice Cooper und Motörhead
21:15 Wacken 2013: Deep Purple
22:15 Wacken 2013: ASP
23:15 Wacken 2013: Lingua Mortis Orchestra Featuring Rage
00:10 Wacken 2012: Dimmu Borgir & Orchestra und Cradle of Filth
01:10 Wacken 2012: Sepultura & Les Tambours du Bronx
02:05 Wacken 2012: In Flames
03:05 Wacken 2012: Testament
04:05 Wacken 2013: Anthrax

Song from the upcoming Testament album now online!

So I guess a lot of you out there will know the legendary thrash veterans from Testament. Thrash at it's best IMHO. The highly anticipated follow up to their 2008 release The Formation of Damnation will be released on July 27, 2012 (Europe) and July 31, 2012 (North America). So a lot of people are surely looking forward to hear something from the new record that features Gene Hoglan for the second time after the 1997's album Demonic on drums.

The bands record company finally has heard the call and uploaded the first track "True american hate" on soundcloud. I love it! It'y typical thrash at it's best with traditional brutal riffing, slightly melodic with a great refrain and a rhythm that let's you bang your head straight forward.

So if you have a facebook account please do me a favour and head over to the promotional site of the album that the record company has set up and give it a like. The more people like it, the more samples of the album will be revealed. So please help making this happen. :-)

Finally take a look at the band's website for all the latest info on the band, especially for toudates that hopefully soon will be confirmed.

James Murphy fighting cancer again- a call for help

James Murphy, the well known guitarist who played for bands such as Death and Testament is facing the fight against cancer again.

The tumor seems to have returned and he needs a medical treatment for six months which he cannot pay due to his illness which doesn't allow him to work properly.

Please help out in any way you can, e.g. with a donation. You can find more detailed info in the article linked below from the Decibel magazine along with the data needed to do a proper donation via Paypal.

Donate to James Murphy | Decibel Magazine