Being France’s best known thrash band is a bit like being Britain’s best known competitive camel jockey; presumably one exists, but nobody outside of a select few know about it. While it is true that No Return are better known in the English speaking world than they used to be, it’s testament to their enduring musical prowess that they’re still going strong – having been around in one form or another since 1984, and known as No Return since 1989.
Their first two albums, “Psychological Torment” and “Contamination Rises” (1990 and 1992) respectively were released on the now defunct Semetary records, and – it is fair to say – are harder to get hold of than hen’s teeth these days. Which is no longer the case, as Great Dane records have seen fit to grant them another release into the blinking sunlight in this sumptuous double CD set. Not having heard their early works at all, I was intrigued to discover what their debut albums sounded like. The first thing that struck me about “Psychological Torment” was just how rabid and vicious it is. This is an out and out thrash album, very much in the almost-deathly veins of Sepultura’s “Beneath the Remains”, particularly with the very dry production. While this is the most obvious reference point, there are also tasty, almost Exodus scything riffing, and some of the chunkier riffs bring to mind the best moments of British also-rans Xentrix (particularly on the chunky ending of “Tragic Giving”. In terms of overall quality, this is really something of a lost gem; brilliant, infectious and authentic thrash riffing, a compelling and pummelling rhythm section, and some great vocals from Phillipe Ordon. As a bonus, “Vision of Decadence”, played live in Paris 2013 is included, which proves that the band can still thrash as hard as they ever did, delivering a great performance.
If anything, “Contamination Rises” is an even more vicious listen, combining thrash metal with a clear death metal influence, bringing to mind some of the punky edge of Napalm Death of around the same era, with blastbeats and hoarse, semi-death metal vocals punctuating some truly angular riffing. The song writing is exceptionally strong, with a few classics punctuating the album, the likes of “Sacred Bones” being an exhausting mix of exceptionally rapid riffing, some dextrous bass playing and athletic drumming. The production is typical of its time – so while it’s certainly very audible, there is a certain dryness to the sound, not unlike the Morrisound that was so prevalent of the era. It’s a slightly less accessible album than its predecessor, but actually a much more rewarding listen for all of that. It’s certainly a more accomplished album than many of its peers, even when mixing in proto-Obituary moments into the more blurry, rapid sections.
Two absolute gems for the price of one here, and I absolutely guarantee that any self-respecting devotee of the harder aspects of early 1990s thrash metal are going to be in absolute heaven here. A right cracker. File under “must-buy”
(8.5/10 Chris Davison)
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