Eternal - Conspiracy Of Warheads (Floga Records)
Conspiracy Of Warheads, now that's an album title Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian and Dan Lilker are kicking themselves they didn't think of. I honestly think it's probably the best thrash album title since the 80's and Athens based band Eternal play the sort of classic thrash metal from that period.
Throughout Conspiracy Of Warheads there's nods to Megadeth, Anthrax, Metallica, Nuclear Assault and more. You can feel that Eternal are a band with a very strong love of the thrash metal greats, this foursome Nick Pogas (vocals/guitar), Spiros Pexos (guitar), Nick Tsaousis (bass) and Alex Archaniotis (drums), shred up a storm with some politically charged thrash metal.
From the fierce kick off of My Way Or No Way, the record brings the best elements of thrash metal together, the technical inteplay of the guitarists is razor sharp, while the drums and bass come at breathless pace on a track such as Adrenaline Rush. Man Down (In The Front Row) is a track full of gang vocals and pit starting riffage as Bloodspill takes them furiously into the 21st Century.
The production balances that old school feel and a modern touch, mainly due to Costas “Naberius” Papadopoulos tight mix and Nasos Nomikos' slick master as they welcome you to the Theatre Of Thrash, with the song of the same name before really letting loose with their speed and aggression on the title track, giving both old and new thrashers a record they can get behind.
Even me who is not the world's biggest thrash fan, found this record an exhilarating exhibition of the genre. 9/10
Exile Of Heaven - Tides Of Destiny (Hellenic Metal World)
Founded in 2010, Exile Of Heaven released their debut The Illusion Of Randomity in 2016, it's been a decade but now they return with the sophomore album Tides Of Destiny.
The Kozani based group play a style of heavy metal that is very prevelant amongst Greek metal bands, drawing from the US style of muscular heavy power metal, influenced by Manowar, Jag Panzer with nods to the German sounds of Grave Digger and Running Wild due to the nautical themes. Building their tracks around muscular rhythm guitars that carry the sound of thrash, influences from NWOBHM in the groove side, especially the bass on Tortuga and powerful vocals that sit on the deeper end, adding some snarls on Oracle Of Death.
However they have a flair for the dramatic and melodic on Water And Sand before their heavy metal returns on Poseidon's Fury, the production of the record making sound real rather than over produced and after ten years Exile Of Heaven are still a great heavy metal band so get lost in the Tides Of Destiny. 8/10
Thy Legacy - The Call (Nameless Grave Records)
Formed by current and ex members of Chthonic Rites, Axeon and Yoth Iria, Thy Legacy are a heavy metal from Crete who do things the old school way. With Kerkermeister on bass, Rythm Hawk on drums, A.D. Guillotine on rhythm guitars and Retaliatör on lead guitars and vocals.
This foursome play songs about metal, heavy metal, with Heavy Metal Rising and Metal Legion, paying homage to our favourite genre but there's also horror and fantasy influences coming in on the cinematic interlude The Amulet, the galloping Chasing Glory and Seven Witches. All the songs on The Call delivered by Thy Legacy with a slightly darker and rawer edge due to the members of this band having backgrounds in black metal, so they bring the evil tendencies of that style into this classic metal record.
If you love heavy/speedy metal with some evil intentions answer The Call from Thy Legacy. 7/10
Apöcalypse A.D - Prototype: Zero Hour (Self Released)
Apöcalypse A.D is a one man project from Thessaloniki, it cites thrash and heavy metal but I'd say there's also a lot of goth and post punk influences on Chris Gkioursanis' debut EP, with Second To None and Out Of Control really shifting towards this style, with post apocalyptic soundscapes the influence behind these songs, Prototype: Zero Hour has a lot of dark cinematic overtones to it.
Though a hybrid style of metal that brings with synths at the beginning of Blink Of An Eye, a moody chug on Little Angel (She Fades Away) and while the thrash can be heard on Manchild Syndrome and Big Bang (Heart Attack), but for me it's not the major sound here. For Prototype: Zero Hour, Chris shows off his skill as a writer and player, and while the vocals are the weakest thing here, it's a decent debut EP from Apöcalypse A.D. 6/10
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