I was going to start this review off with the statement that these guys are 30 years late to the party, but realised that was most likely only when they were born. Additionally they wouldn’t have been as heavily influenced by some of my favourite bands if they happened to be around back then. Well, the current line-up for this Swedish quartet is: Dr. Toxic – guitars, backing vocals; Dr. Rad – bass, backing vocals; Dr. Mania – vocals; Dr. Slam – drums. And they all wear skull masks and bandannas, like a dead skate crew, and I don’t think they take themselves too seriously. Which is fine by me, as some levity is always welcome.
“Coffin Crusher” opens their fourth album with some very fast and typical thrash drumming along with galloping guitar riffs and rather John Connelly style vocals.
They employ a catchy and somewhat choppy riff on “Can’t Kill The Dead” that is very reminiscent of early Suicidal Tendencies as are the vocals on the chorus.
The nice, simple and very straight forward punky timing signature works perfectly on “The Summoning” as the chant-like vocals subtly pick up the pace as they go along towards a slightly frantic climax.
They have an amusing video for “Terror Vision” where the lead guitar plays as a harmony guitar throughout the mid paced song with its very harmonious chorus and headbanging vibe.
The title track “Cosmic Conqueror” picks the pace back up to manic thrash levels with a definite nod to Nuclear Assault both vocally and sheer bass attack wise.
The opening bass rumble stays the course as the guitar work their way to the rhythm riff on “Disease To Exist”, while the vocals come in with a hoarse shout nearly halfway through before things kick up a notch and moshing would likely ensure in a live setting.
“Into The Eye” is a sweet like instrumental where the gently plucked guitar strings have an awesome bass accompaniment before the lead takes the limelight, then fades away making “Survival Denied” seem that much faster and angrier in comparison with is rapid bass run near the end.
The closest they come to a ballad is the slow and even “Moment Of Clarity” where Dr. Mania proves he is able to sing with an emotion other than anger and frustration being prevalent in his voice.
However on “Infiltrator/Exterminator” things may start slowish, but they don’t remain that way for long as the higher pitched vocals scream in to join the fast bass, drums and guitar.
“Cyber Crime” is definitely not something they had back in the 80s the way we do today, but thrash is and while the album ends on a slightly more sombre note at a far more lacklustre pace than it could, it does a great job of toning things down to get you to listen to it all again.
Fun is key here, as are the good thrash riffs and fast pace. So all in all, quite enjoyable.
(8/10 Marco Gaminara)
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