Tag Archives: Speed Metal

Portugese thrashers Toxik Attack release their debut full length LP on the last day of January. This follows EP ‘Thrash On Command’ which was released way back in 2016. Formed in 2012, they also released a demo in 2014. As far as thrash goes, this is ok. But is it me …

In my opinion, the NWOBHM movement started in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Raven burst onto the scene when they signed to local label Neat Records in 1980 and released their classic single ‘Don’t Need Your Money’. They still play with the same verve, point proven on this warts and all …

One of the underground’s best-kept secrets, BLACKRAT have been skilfully skirting the often-fine lines among metalpunk, thrash, crust, and traditional speed metal. Formed in 2012, this Canadian power-trio to date have delivered two cult full-lengths, 2013’s rough ‘n’ rowdy ‘Whiskey and Blasphemy’ and 2016’s far-more-epic ‘Hail to Hades’, laying on …

If you’ve not yet heard of Gama Bomb – where on earth have you been? These feisty Irish lads make geek cool with a sickeningly good injection of thrash. Untouchable Glory is Gama Bomb’s 5th album, and due to be released at the end of the month, on Friday, 30th …

Portland, Oregon’s Cemetery Lust are very sincere flatterers of the early extreme thrash metal invasion’s pillars: Slayer, Kreator, and a few others. On Screams Of The Violated, the revivalists’s eight song re-release, it pays homage to these forerunner bands in spades. To state this more plainly, these guys sound like …

If you like your thrash metal fast, then look no further – Harlott have that covered, with their brand-spanking new release called Proliferation. The Aussies hailing from Melbourne have all the brutal assault of Slayer or Exodus with melodies not dissimilar to Annihilator. These young lads could be the answer to every old …

Ah, Exmortus heats up another day in metal-dom! Stark black and white imagery, a dragon, swords, horns, a battle, a horde, scantily-clad women, blood, and fire: these California natives have heavy metal’s best and brightest tropes fenced in and neatly dispatched. The quartet works diligently on their music, and the …

“Mr. Falwell, you are not my god.” bluntly states Paolo Rossi, at the end of Wasted Youth‘s 1986 release, a six song EP titled Get Out Of My Yard!. Channeling classic punk rock in every sense of the phrase, this disc scratches an itch to hear genuine, vintage high-energy music, …

After reviewing the new Tremonti album Cauterize last week I was excited to get to the O2 ABC in Glasgow last night to see how the live show compared. The venue was quite full for a Monday night, but the crowd that showed up were nothing if not enthusiastic. From the …

HELLOWEEN are one of the most influential and internationally successful acts of the global metal scene. With the release of their 15th studio album My God-Given Right, due on June 1st, the Pumpkin Heads are set to further cement their title as the founding fathers of German melodic speed metal.  Director …

New MASTERS OF DISGUISE Album “The Savage And The Grace” Out On February 20 With their 2013 debut “Back With A Vengeance”, MASTERS OF DISGUISE filled the musical gap left behind by the demise of SAVAGE GRACE, almost 30 years earlier. Not that they consciously copied the legendary Americans – …

Scythe is a three-piece heavy metal outfit from Chicago which was founded by former Usurper front man Rick Scythe in 2010. Old school in their approach, they state on their official website that their sound “incorporates the style of 80’s thrash/black/speed metal, combined with elements of dark atmosphere, classic heavy metal …

Photographs of Gama Bomb’s performance in the The Empire Hall, Belfast.  Support from Mental Deficiency, Zombified & Sentient. Photographs by Marc Leach Photography.

It’s been the best part of three years since US metallers Holy Grail released their critically acclaimed debut, Crisis in Utopia.  A number of line-up changes aside, they’ve continuously worked hard and played harder, touring and writing to produce follow up album Ride The Void. I remember supporting Holy Grail in Glasgow …