via//chicago

np: "Sentenced To Thrash" - Gama Bomb

If you've spent any time following the current metal scene, you'll no doubt know that we are in the midst of a full-fledged thrash metal revival. I mentioned awhile ago the excellent new album by thrash veterans Testament, but there are plenty of young bands getting in on the act. This summer saw the release of three solid retro-thrash albums on the always exciting Earache label. I've been spending some time with each of them and here are my quick thoughts.

Violator - Chemical Assault
First up is this denim-clad quartet of Brazilian thrashers, who throw things back to 1986 in a serious kind of way with songs like "Addicted To Mosh" and "Ordered To Thrash". These guys are pretty talented, but honestly this was the one of three albums that seemed to grab me the least. Nothing to knock the band, but they just seemed to lack the oomph and/or gimmickry that jumped out from the other two.

check out: "Ordered To Thrash"

Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain
Irish thrash! All right! This group has been steadily building buzz for several years now, thanks to some solid self released recordings and thrilling live shows. Earache has finally snatched them up and propelled them to international acclaim! Well, hopefully. When I mentioned "gimmickry" above, these are the guys I had in mind. I'd have to consider Gama Bomb to be the Saturday morning cartoon version of retro-thrash and I mean that in the best possible way. In addition to the awesome cover art above, this album features songs about truck driving psychopaths ("Hell Trucker"), the Super NES classic Final Fight (duh, "Final Fight"), and Superman II ("In the Court of General Zod"). Not to mention songs about time travel wars and setting dinosaurs loose on London. Really, really fun... if not exactly the most technically accomplished band.

check out: "Time Crime"
Bonded by Blood - Feed the Beast
It takes balls for a band to name themselves after a beloved thrash classic (Exodus' excellent debut in this case), but these guys ably live up to the name. Playing off the more demonic themes demonstrated by their namesake, these guys offer a darker, denser take on the thrash sound. The guitar solos are fantastic and the mix allows every instrument punch and swagger. They aren't the fastest, they aren't the most original, but nonetheless they crank out some damn fine thrash. Well worth hearing.

check out: "Necropsy"