Dementia - "Recuperate From Reality"

After nothing but regional punk and metal bands, I decided it was again time to post some unheard (and potentially cheesy) metal, so here is the only release from Dementia, who, according to the metal archives, are either from Wisconsin or Chicago, so you can take your pick on that one. One look at that cover should tell you what you're in for. Musically this is nothing life changing, it's early 90's thrash metal, mostly mid-tempo, but there are some moments of speed to be found on here, like the last track, "Say Your Prayers". In truth, there are some pretty excellent riffs and some long songs on this album, which, again, according to the metal archives, had very bad distribution in america and "remains a rare treat".(I found this cd at a used bookstore for a dollar, and recently saw a still sealed copy of it in a record store in Richlands, Virginia!) The only gripe I have is with the vocals. Sometimes they are annoying as hell, and other times they fit the mood of the song well. If you are expecting total balls to the wall thrash then you might be disappointed with this album, but if you are a metal fan and want to hear something you might never have heard before then give it a try.

Dementia - "Recuperate From Reality"

Manic Scum - "Better Left Undead"

From the hills and polluted industrial wastelands of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia comes the debut ep from Manic Scum. Stalwart watchers of this blog may recall hearing these songs before, and you would be right. Manic Scum was started by Alex Depew and Neal Williams, who both were in Mental Shock with Dave Killebrew and myself, where these songs originated. Truth be told, the songs "Blood Junkies", and "Haunt Of Fear" were both written by me, and I also wrote the music to "Entombed For Eternity". The songs pretty much are the same as the older, very grimly produced (ok, no production at all) versions, which can be found here. If you already enjoy the Mental Shock versions of these songs, however, you will find subtle little changes in the executions of riffs, drum patterns, etc, and as a collaborator on these songs I have to admit that these versions are THE representations of how sick the M.S. stuff could have been. The recording is very brutal, everything is in your face and waiting to rip it off.  Fans of bands like Repulsion, Napalm Death, Autopsy, and most grind/death freaks will find something to like in these 11 and a half minutes.

Give Them Lead!

Tombstalker 7" EP

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't done anything on here in a while, life has been hectic the past 2 months, but I'm back and I do have some goodies in store for you all. First up is a brand new 7'' from Lexington, KY's TOMBSTALKER, who play vicious black death thrash. This EP is 4 songs of total fucking awesomeness. It is available from my friend Josh May's KARMIC SWAMP label and I highly suggest you get one. Imagine if members of Dissection, Dismember, and Iron Maiden started a band and you have a pretty good idea of what this band is all about. The production on this is killer, the drums are perfect, the guitars are very audible with that swedish death distortion we all love, and fuck, this just rips and you will be all the better for checking it out. If these guys play around wherever you live, be sure to check them out, because they will probably destroy whatever venue they're playing at.

Supreme Veneration Of Death

coming soon to the blog:

The Cold Beyond - Unofficial Demo

Asadachi - 2011 Demo

Samurai John - Integrity 1997 demo

and more.......

Volcanic Slut - "Blasphemaster" 7"

Vinyl Rites has been putting out a slew of good releases lately, first the Mauser 7" that I posted here, now this, the first offering from floridians Volcanic Slut. Upon getting this record, I was sure this was gonna be total Sodom worship, but for some reason I was hoping it would verge into Sarcofago-like brutality....but it doesn't. That is not to say that this doesn't rip, because it does. It is 3 songs of straight up thrash metal with some punk underpinnings, and c'mon, anything named after an early Sodom track has got to be good. This is still available from Vinyl Rites, along with the Mauser 7", both of which I highly suggest you get. And also, before this post is finished, I have got to say that's one of the best record sleeve photos I've seen in a while.

Volcanic Slut - "Blasphemaster" 7"

Pestilence - "Malleus Maleficarum"

Here is "Malleus Maleficarum" by Pestilence, a metal band from the Netherlands that started off as a thrash metal band , but later on incorporated more death metal and even jazz influences into their attack. Sadly to say, I don't find those albums as interesting as this one. Maybe it's the sheer amount of killer riffage to be found on here, maybe it's the short but ferocious minute and a half onslaught called "Extreme Unction", maybe it's the fact that this album destroys. Their follow-up album, "Consuming Impulse", has its moments but can't hold a candle to the intensity of this one.

Pestilence - "Malleus Maleficarum"

Preacher - "Trapped In Hell"

Here's some obscure mid-80's thrash that rips, too bad it was the only thing that California's PREACHER ever released, as it shows promise of things to come that sadly never did. It is five tracks of fast, evil thrash metal that is all about sacrificing whores, pain, and various and sundry evil metal subject matter. The above image is not the actual cover of this e.p., just something I threw together for the hell of it.

Excruciating Pain

Sodom - "Mortal Way Of Live"

Here is some live Sodom, recorded during the "Sodomania World Tour" in 1988.

It's practically the entire "Persecution Mania" lp (which is the best Sodom album), plus tracks from "In The Sign Of Evil", "Obsessed By Cruelty", and more, including a cover of Motorhead's "Iron Fist". It is seventy-two minutes of live, vicious thrash metal. This one is pretty big, its ripped at 320, so play it loud.

And what the fuck is up with the guy trying to lick the cat's asshole on the cover? Weird shit.

Sodom - "Mortal Way Of Live"

Obliveon - "Whimsical Uproar"

Here is an early demo by Canada's Obliveon, who seem to have went straight into obscurity before finally meeting their own oblivion. An obvious comparison upon first listen is to early Voivod, but there's something else lurking in these four songs. I always thought it sounded like Voivod and "Persecution Mania" era Sodom, but i'll leave that for you all to decide. I think this demo destroys. The musicianship is incredible, the riffs rule, it's fast and uncompromising, and one of the lyrics is "science should be used to help us screw"...how can you resist? And also, check out the neck snapping fastness at 1:10 in the first song. THAT is goddamn brutal. Unfortunately, this band didn't release too much else, their first LP is called "From This Day Forward" and it really sounds like they were trying to be more tech than thrash. It has some good songs, but this demo is really the best thing they did.

Obliveon - "Whimsical Uproar"

Voivod - "Killing Technology"

Why have I never extoled the virtues of Canada's Voivod before? It was an oversight which i will remedy now. This is their 3rd full length album from 1986, entitled "Killing Technology". It is what I like to think of as geek metal: excellent, headbanging riffs,blazing solos, bass and drums bashing along at punk tempos with very distinct timing changes, and lyrics about sci-fi themes. I like to think that I could sit in a basement in 1986, with a nice hesher haircut of some sort, finishing Neuromancer for the 4th time, then putting this record on and playing the old GURPS Cyberpunk rpg with some friends. Why don't you do that now?

We Are Connected

Razor - "Violent Restitution"

This past week has sucked. My van has been in the shop twice, I've spent over 400 dollars on a problem that is STILL happening, I'm broke, work a shit job, etc, etc. I don't really wanna start ranting on about it, let's just say that I have been and still am highly pissed off.....which bring us to Razor, Canada's finest thrash export. This band could be the very essence of pure, unbridled, pissed-as-shit hardcore thrash metal. The riffs keep coming at you like daggers, while the drums pummel you into neck-breaking frenzies. And the vocals..... I don't want to give to much away to anyone who hasn't heard this album, but it rules. Hard. If you like straightforward THRASH METAL, and haven't heard Razor, get ready to hear the best of the best. Oh, and have I mentioned that they are pissed? They are. And so am I.

Razor - "Violent Restitution"

Kreator - "Coma Of Souls"

Kreator are German thrash legends and should really need no introduction. These dudes have been ripping it up since the early 80's and still put out good albums, their newest, Hordes Of Chaos, actually rips pretty hard. But this album, to me, is the pinnacle of their discography. It is everything a great thrash album should be. I never care about album production, but this album is produced excellently I think. the drum sound is awesome, the guitars sound killer (and oh those riffs) and the bass is even noticeable. And did I mention the riffs?

Kreator - "Coma Of Souls"

Mental Shock - '09 Demo

Here is Mental Shock's 2009 demo. Mental Shock was a short lived band, playing 3-4 shows and recording this as our only legacy. M.S. was dave doing vocals, alex on guitar, neal on bass, and me on drums. this band was short lived because it was hard to practice, me and alex live in kingsport, dave in johnson city, and neal lived in virginia, which was where our practice space was also, and it was just hard to make the commute all the time. but here is this, 10 tracks, one instrumental, and one napalm death cover, as Mental Shock's lasting legacy.

we also recorded 3 songs in a studio but we STILL haven't gotten these from the guy who recorded them....if we ever get those i'll post them up here also. but for now.....

Mental Shock - Demo '09

Morbid Saint - "Spectrum Of Death"

Here is Morbid Saint's debut album, the absolutely pulverizing "Spectrum Of Death". I personally think this band should have been huge, I guess their location (Sheboygan, Wisconsin) kinda stopped them from being huge. but fuckin' a, this album delivers. a non stop riff assault, crushing drums, and a pissed, insane vocalist make this a fucking winner.

Morbid Saint - "Spectrum Of Death"

Destruction - Eternal Devastation

I know this is readily available and all but this is a favorite. classic german thrash with tinny production and awkward playing at times but fuck, what riffs! Lindsay says the cover looks like "a tornado of marc bolans". If you haven't heard this and are even remotely interested in thrash, well, what are you waiting for?!

Curse....The Gods!!

Feces For Warpaint - You Can't Polish A Turd Demo

Here's a cd-r demo i've been wanting to post for a while, hell, i've been wanting to listen to it for a while. i had misplaced it in a friends cd book years ago unknowingly and thought it long lost, but here it is, for all of you to enjoy. i really don't know much about this band, i saw them once in Asheville in 2003 and got this cd there and promptly never heard of them again. i do know it features ex- face down in shit members, they sound like they worship at the altar of "Animosity" era Corrosion Of Conformity at times, and that there are a few live photos of them but next to no information on them anywhere.

Feces For Warpaint - You Can't Polish A Turd