When you think Teutonic Thrash of the 80’s, the names which spring to mind are the Teutonic Four – Destruction, Kreator, Sodom and Tankard. Like most, you would be forgiven if you had not heard of Exumer or even forgot about their existence. Releasing 2 albums in the 80’s before the line-up changes and turmoil led to the band disbanding in 1990. However, they re-appeared again in 2009 for a special reunion at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival and since then, with some stability in the ranks, they have performed live and found the urge to work on a new release. Let’s see if we get swept away by the pull of the Teutonic thrash tides.
Like all good thrash, title track “The Raging Tides” is straight to the point. A rapidly delivered, aggressive pedal tone riff brings the track in and this repeats itself many times throughout the song. Fast delivery on the riff is followed by massive sounding, heavy chugged chords and the vocal delivery is raw and angry, exactly what you would expect from a Teutonic metal machine! From here, the album proceeds in a very straight forward way – an assault of riffs played at blistering speed, furious leads, snarling and venomous vocals which take shots at today’s society and of course, plenty of groove which is perfect to windmill along to.
“Brand Of Evil” has a real heavy guitar sound which is just as ominous as the track’s name whilst Catatonic has some incredible drum patterns in the intro and a similar approach to that of Metallica on ‘Seek And Destroy’. Tracks like “Welcome To Hellfire” and “Death Factory” toe the line between Thrash and the Scandinavian sound you associate with Melodic Death Metal, whilst “Sinister Souls” and ”Sacred Defence” sound like they have come right out of 1986 with the delivery and sound on them.
In all, it’s exactly what you would expect to hear from a thrash band who were formed in the 1980’s and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. The two bonus tracks are ok, “Forever My Queen” is rather raw and short, but “Hostage To Heaven” is a full on thrash attack which works quite well, especially with the furious, full on shred solo to close the track and album.
You either like thrash or you don’t. With Megadeth’s “Dystopia” setting the benchmark for Thrash this year, Exumer are clearly flying the flag for Europe, matching them and going pound for pound. This is one release you have to hear thrash maniacs, so grab your beer, your bullet belts, your patched denims, hi-tops and let the raging tide sweep you away as you windmill along!
(8/10 Fraggle)
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