Consistency has been Protector’s most redeemable facet of late; the last few releases since reforming have been quite something. Now Sweden is home, but Germany is always their starting point. For those who don’t know this band, expect high energy Teutonic Thrash, some material strays into death, I suppose if you want to compare that path then take Possessed, Morbid Saint, early-Slayer and early-Kreator.
‘Pandemic Misery’ speaks for itself in the title, musically, strap yourself down and prepare for a hammering. The production is heavy, powerful and not modernized in terms of turning everything “up”, it sounds like early Slayer, it is very good! ‘Referat IV B 4’ is a WWII inspired track reminding people not to forget the terrible actions that occurred in that time. There are some interesting time signatures at the start, which continue throughout. ‘Cleithrophobia’ is a more melodic track, although melodic for Protector still blows away the crap. Again, with the arrangement, there are timing changes that sometimes stem the flow if I have to be critical, but you know what, its strong enough to overcome “something to moan about”! ‘Open Skies and Endless Seas’ builds anticipation and has a nice feel and riff at its start. This turns into a mid-tempo head-banging monster, it grabs you, gives you a high five, the track then chews you up with an increase to breakneck speed before returning to comfort. ‘Shackled by Total Control’ has socio-critical undertones in the lyrics, whilst the music is anything but socially acceptable. There is a great thrashy groove, not 90’s groove, a proper one. Of course, the speed is present and correct, enough to tell society to walk the plank. ‘Thirty Years of Perdition’ has some Australian sounds instrument at the start, before making its thrash statement with a perfect riff, a great intro for the live circuit. The remainder of the track gallops its staccato movement like rolling thunder; a storm is indeed coming taking a que from some of the lyrics.
Overall, I have enjoyed this a touch more than the last two-studio releases, all have their merits, but for this time, ‘Excessive Outburst of Depravity’ hits all the right spots. Aggressive thrash, precise thrash, total thrash, a great release front to back putting energy and lyrical context into Protector’s sub-genre. You may have heard the classic Protector releases; this is more than agreeable by comparison.
(9/10 Paul Maddison)
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