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.

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.

CD Review: Running Death - Overdrive (2015)

Short Introduction

The thrash metal band Running Death is located in Kaufbeuren, Germany. In the year 2012 the band managed for the first time to be heard and saluted outside of the Thrash Metal underground, thanks to their EP titled "The Call Of Extinction". Their search for style, flow of ideas and songwriting started to become a trademark of Running Death.

The band constantly played shows ever since. The band took the experience they were able to gather and wrote the full length "Overdrive" which saw the light of day in early 2015.

(c) by Running Death, used with kind permission

Summary

This is Thrash 'n' Roll at it's very best! Just think of a combination of the classic Overkill Thrash metal style mixed up with a good potion of Rock 'n' Roll. The most outstanding elements are the bass guitar sound which will remind you a lot of D.D. Verni's sound and the vocals which are set a bit apart of the typical Thrash Metal sound with it's more own styled way of keeping it flat instead of screaming it out high pitched.

Besides being influenced a lot from the big names in Thrash the band breaks up with the standard songwriting formulas as often as possible. You can hear that the tracks are meant to sound direct and brutal but the band build's in changes on the tracks as often as possible. This gives the tracks a lot diversity and you can never be sure what may come around next.

Overall I like that the album has a hard sound but also leaves room for some coolness and most of all a lot of groove. It doesn't give you the feeling that it's all just bare heavyness but it's also catchy at some points (just think of the track "Mercenary" - the riff has stayed in my mind for quite some time). 

Album overview

While the first half of the album is more kept in the brutal and fast scheme of thrash metal it's mostly the second half which has picked up more of my attention and enjoyment.

The second half starts with the soft intermission of "Deludium" a much welcomed breaker with only silk guitar sounds. The next track "Mercenary" goes in heavy styled as the first five tracks of the package but has a breaking point in it where it goes over to a more rhythm oriented song structure that holds a lot of fun for the listener.

The same goes further on with "Pray for death" as well as on "Reduced" as well as on "Overdrive". The tracks simply have a heavier Rock 'n' Roll attitude with them compared to the first album half. If you like to listen to some thrash that comes along a bit different I suggest you to check the mentioned songs first. I think you'll be enjoy this fresh wind of thrash metal air.

Purchase-Link & Player

The album is up for purchase on the Bandcamp page of Running Death. A dowload of the twelve album tracks will cost you 10 Euro but the pressed CD comes for the same price plus shipping and handling. If you live in Germany you can get a CD copy without having to pay for shipping. The full album is up for listen on Bandcamp so I've included the stream below for you to check out.


Contact Data

Get in touch with the band using their Facebook page or follow them via Twitter to stay up to date for all the further updates.

Legendary thrash metal band Kontra from Italy reunites

I love Thrash! Yeah, legendary thrahsers Testament printed this saying once on one of their band T-Shirts. I'm very happy to be able to say there is a active underground scene alive these days that constantly provides us with fresh stuff from the heavier and straighter side of Heavy Metal.

Recently I've received a message that one of the legendary thrash underground acts from Naples, Italy did reunite.

They are called Kontra and did exist from 1999 to 2007. The band influenced both by Bay Area Thrash and by German Thrash Metal now has a new line-up of 3 members which the only original one is the singer/rhythm guitarist and founder of the band Marco Barraco.

(c) by Kontra, used with kind permission

Kontra played live on many stages in Naples and suburbs producing also 2 demos: “Strike Zero” in 2003 limited to only 100 copies,and ‘’Demo 2005’’ never published because the band splitted up. The band has been influeneced by acts like Metallica,Slayer,Kreator,Sodom,Destruction, Venom,Sepultura (the old ones), and Motörhead.

I'm looking forward to see what the band will do next and keep you guys out there updated on the further progress. In the meantime you can also hold an eye on Kontra's Facebook page by hitting the famous like button on their site.