Imagine, if you will that back in 1984 Slayer didn’t release the ‘Haunting The Chapel’ EP. Instead they sacked Tom Araya and hired Cronos’ even more pissed off twin brother in his absence. This is the album that would have been made between ‘Show No Mercy’ and ‘Hell Awaits’ – absolutely no question.
The above paragraph tells you all you need to know really but the editor would shank me if that was all I wrote so please, allow me to expand.
If, like me, you grew up listening to mid 80’s thrash and worshipped at the altar of early Slayer then this album will give you a warm snuggly feeling inside…. like being fed a heavy metal Cinnabon by Care Bear.
Hailing from Canberra, Australia Hellbringer are not touting themselves as innovators, nor are they likely to appear on the front cover of any of the metal mags in WH Smith (well maybe the excellent Iron Fist). No, these lads love thrash metal. Josh, Luke & James also love playing thrash metal and are extremely good at it. They don’t give a shit if you like it or not. Which is fine because I fucking love it.
Now there’s seven tracks on this album, they range from the three minute spastic thrash maelstrom of ‘Realm Of The Heretic’ – (more of a hint of ‘Altar Of Sacrifice’) to the six minute solo rich ‘Coven Of Darkness’ – (which is ‘Captor Of Sin’). Now I like my thrash metal songs like my sexual exploits i.e. usually sub four minutes, so it’s testament (see what I did there) to the quality of the tunes that not one song outstays it’s welcome and the replay value is immense.
Now you can moan about these Aussies just ripping off and emulating the kings of thrash all you want but you’d be missing the point. It’s done with such love & affection and attention to detail that you can’t help but wanna buy them a beer and bang yer fucking head along to ‘Spectre Of Rebirth’ while other, inferior mortals look on admiring your Converse basketball boots, tight black jeans and sleeveless Mortal Sin shirt.
Coupled with some awesome cover art from Finnish artist, Samu Salovarra and a proper retro yet clear production this, along with BATs ‘Wings Of Chains’ is gonna be thrash album of the year.
(9/10 Mark Eve)
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