The thrashers from Bavaria return with album number four and it’s an improvement on 2016’s decent Mass Confusion. There is more structure and melody to the songs, which still retain all the ferocity and thrashy goodness of their previous releases. The slow burning Another Day In Hell which closes the album has the Metallica feel but is constructed with thought and style. Elsewhere it’s all systems go from the powerful opener of The Fourth Strike which sets the tone and rages hard to the Hendrix riff hidden in the middle of the fiery Rhythm To My Madness. I was critical of Lenny B’s vocal delivery last time out but this time he’s on point with a snarl and urgency necessary for decent thrash metal. Crammed full of searing riffs, tracks such as Shed My Skin feel like old friends after just a couple of tracks. This band is improving, and whilst it’s never going to be ground breaking, their old school thrash metal is certainly on my radar once more. 8/10
OOMPH!: Ritual (Napalm Records)
It may come as a surprise to some that Rammstein were not the pioneers of the German Industrial rock movement. Having been raised on EBM, rock and new wave, OOMPH! were however, part of the so-called Neue Deutsche Härte dance scene that influenced Rammstein and many more. Ritual is the band’s 13th album, coming 27 years after their self-titled debut. The nucleus of the band has remained as it was since the band formed in Wolfsberg in 1989; Dero Goi – lead vocals, drums, programming, Andreas Crap – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals and Robert Flux – rhythm guitar, samples, bass guitar, backing vocals. Ritual is described by Goi as "Our most aggressive, heaviest and darkest album in a while."
He’s not wrong, with a thumping opening triumvirate of Tausend Mann Und Ein Befehl, Achtung! Achtung! and Kein Liebeslied marching and stomping all over the place. Europa (feat. Chris Harms / Lord Of The Lost) is followed by a bit of a dancefloor monster, Im Namen Des Vaters which would qualify for any gym workout compilation. With much of the album tackling politics, war and abuse, there’s a bit of light relief with the splendid electro tune TRRR – FCKN – HTLR. I must admit that I’m not great overall with the German Dance Metal scene, but this is an album that really works. A one-off date at the Islington Academy in March should be an enjoyably moist affair. 8/10
Leash Eye: Blues, Brawls and Beverages (Self Released)
Poland isn’t exactly renowned for its southern hard rock, but Leash Eye have been flying the flag for several years. Originally focusing on grunge as you might expect for a band who started in 1996, they latterly changed their sound and now have a rich and warm style which is very much in keeping with the harder side of the Southern rock style. 2013’s Hard Truckin’ Rock is finally followed up with the gritty new release, Blues, Brawls And Beverages and it is a fine listen too. With some huge riffs, the Hammond sound of Piotr Skora’s keys adding depth to the tracks, and the whiskey-soaked vocals of Lukas Podorski giving the whole album gravitas.
53 minutes of thunderous rock with a blues underbelly that demands attention from the start. On Fire is a foot stomping rocker, which is impossible not to get the head nodding. There are huge chunks of 1970s Deep Purple which appear nicely throughout the 11 tracks and at times the album veers sharply away from the Southern rock to a more straightforward hard rock style; One Last Time is a prime example. Throbbing keys, crashing cymbals and soaring vocals all work to solid effect on an album that doesn’t disappoint in anyway. 7/10
Tempest: Reflections (Self Released)
Tempest: Reflections (Self Released)
Crushing riffs, soaring clean vocals that interchange with gruff singing at rapid speed, and battering drums. Yep, it’s another metalcore album. This time from Eastbourne based Tempest. It’s routine stuff I’m afraid, and whilst it is skilfully compiled, after about track five it’s all just a little bit repetitive; such is the genre.
Typical metalcore with clean and gruff vocals interchanging relentlessly, savage guitars and frantic drumming and very little which sticks in the memory for more than a couple of seconds. I’m sure if you like this style of metal then this may well be one of the emerging bands on the scene, but it does little for me. Sorry. 5/10
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