By: Anders

Posted: Feb 7, 2006

German thrash influenced by the American Bay Area scene is what this band claims to deliver, and that fits pretty well if I have to be honest. Though I had expected some more violent and hard-hitting music, when I look at the album title, the band picture and the cover artwork. Though the 5 angry looking Germans are a bit softer and delivers thoughtful thrash and not straight ahead ripping of all heads thrash, all the time.

The one thing that springs to mind immediately while listening to the album, is the lack of original ideas, there aren't many things on this album that haven't been done before, and more importantly better. It is like the band lacks the last kick in the ass, so they can go out and deliver their music more violently. The album is long, 49 minutes to be precise, but feels longer, and consists of 13 tracks, so of course some quiet parts to make some variation is a good idea, it just gets too much and the album becomes very long. Take for example track 11 'The Sky Turns Red' an instrumental acoustic guitar track, which serves more as a filler than anything else. The last track, the cover version of the pop-tune 'In A Gada Da Vida' is just filling space as well and could have been left out.

When the band goes pure thrash as in the track 'Ragers Elite', which seems to be the band's motto, the music is good and gripping, classic thrash that rips, good riffs a nice solo and some good breaks and fierce vocals, that's how I like it. 8 tracks of that standard would have made for a good and intense album, which is what we need, a thrash album with a ballad as track 9 'My Friend', that's no good, aggression and ripping guitar work, that's what it is about if a band wants to survive in this crowded genre. There is much good guitar work on the album and when the bass shines through the heavy and pretty dark production, it sounds good and delivers nice lines. The drumming is pounding and punishing, and when the vocal is at it fiercest, it's great and ear piercing.

There are good indications on this album, there is no doubt about that. Some more focus on the song-writing and some stronger songs are what there is needed, if these Germans want to make a killer album, that will keep the listener hooked in front of the speakers and more importantly sell some albums and get around the world to deliver their mayhem. This is as far as I know their second album, so there is hope, if you dig thrash more than the average metal fan, do give it a shot, there are great things on the album.

Rating: 4/10

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