So this was an exceptionally strong year for music, especially metal. In light of that I'm releasing a top ten list for every major subgenre of metal, starting with thrash.
It has been tedious being a thrasher these last 10 years as really mediocre crap rises up almost entirely missing the point of thrash yet being lionized by the upper echelons of the "underground". Still there are always good releases and this year has been extremely good for thrash and speed metal. Without further due, here's my top 10 thrash list starting with number 10 and a little explanation.
10. Septagon- Apocalyptic Rhymes- Members of Atlantean Kodex come together to create spectacular Power/thrash. Good and heavy just like it should be... shades of Forbidden and Sanctuary here... You should definitely check this out. 9. Vermithrax- Imperium Draconus- Veterans of the Pennsylvania scene release a spectacular power/thrash tour de force. Groovy without sounding new and thrashy as hel. 8. Apostasy- The Sign of Darkness- An Old school thrash act from Brazil that reactivated to release their 2nd record. Heavy and ridiculously blazing fast thrash. Just like it should be. 7. Steelballs- Thunder Strikes Again- Argentinian speed metal that bows before the old German school. This is an excellent release and should be on more top tens. 6. Dreadful Fate- Vengeance- Death/ thrash from Sweden in the Merciless vein. This is a banger from beginning to end. Not a bad track here.
5. Black Viper- Hellions of Fire- Speed metal from... NORWAY?!? Yep, you heard it here folks but this delivers like "Killing Machine" era JP on speed. This is so fast and so good.
4. Deathhammer- Chained to Hell- No one who has ever read this blog should be surprised. They're still one of the best in the modern thrash game. 3. Metal Church- Damned If You Do- This record promised to be a return to "Blessing in Disguise/Human Factor" and BOY did they deliver. Every member of this band is firing on all cylinders here and delivers some great tunes. 2. Iron Angel- Hellbound- THE RETURN!!! Every bit as good as this should be! Everyone claiming to love German speed should love this record.
AND THE BEST THRASH RECORD OF THE YEAR IS... (drumroll...)
1. Death Beast- The Onslaught- I am so glad Vic and his crew are back and they created one of the fastest, most vicious and best thrash records in years. This is exactly what thrash should be. No doubt! Death Beast, we welcome you back to the fold. Thanks for reading! If you haven't heard any of these records give them a listen. Tomorrow will be another top ten list.
