While paring Enforced’s third album, War Remains (Century Media) down to a violent interbreeding of Seasons In The Abyss and Nightmare Logic may seem a little unfair and reductive, nonetheless, it immediately focuses the mind on the sort of aggressive perfection you have in store on this utter treat of metallic pummelling. Continue reading
I love the amount of metal to choose from nowadays. I don’t really know if I have a favorite. That would be much too hard of a task for my brain to try to manage. I got to check out some killer thrash from down south. I do love me some thrash so, needless to say, I was more than eager to dig into it. So, without any more BS, blazing a trail outta South Carolina comes Demiser with their latest cut Through The Gate Eternal (Boris Records). Demiser comes out guns blazing on this record-keeping the groove while crazy amounts of lightspeed riffs are being thrown at you almost non-stop. Even the songs that kinda start off with run-of-the-mill thrash riffs soon get the heat turned up, rolling into solid grooves. They even throw in sort of a ballad for good measure making for a decent balance. Continue reading
My first album review with Ghost Cult Mag, and I’m quickly reminded of the great perk when it comes to this line of work. Finding enjoyable bands you may not of found otherwise. Example being the new LP, Crush the Sublime Gods (Century Media), by Sweden’s Dr. Living Dead. Crush The Sublime Gods is very reminiscent of early work by such acts as Stormtroopers of Death, Anthrax, and Suicidal Tendencies. Dr. Living Dead prove classic Crossover Thrash is as strong as ever, and shows no sign of slowing down. This is by no means anything original or ground-breaking, but don’t take it as I am belittling the band. As the saying goes, you can’t fix what isn’t broken.
With a new vocalist and drummer joining Dr. Living Dead in the past couple years,Crush the Sublime Godsproves they’ve clearly had chemistry from the start. From fast riffs to a slow stomp, gang chants galore, and one track even being a Thrash power ballad (‘Salvation’), this album is a complete package. The lyrical content is a bit tongue-in-cheek as it pays homage to classic 80’s horror films. Most obvious one being the track ‘Scanners’, Inspired by the 1981 filmScanners. One of my personal favorites off the album. The lyrics tell the story of those with incredibly strong telekinetic powers known asScanners, who use their powers to deadly effects. All during fast riffs and a familiar thrash beat. Being a fan of the movie the lyrics “We’ll f**k your brain dry” during a break down was far too enjoyable for me. ‘No Way Out’ slows down a bit with a more melodic groove with clear vocals, overall feel of classic Suicidal Tendencies.
Overall I enjoyed Crush the Sublime Gods, and am now inclined to check out the rest of the discography from Dr. Living Dead. As they only formed in 2007, they easily join modern bands such as Municipal Waste as bands that are keeping Thrash a true force in the metal community. I feel like if this album was released twenty years ago, everyone would of heard of it. It would be surprising to me if anyone that is a fan of Thrash did not enjoy this band or album, so I give a strong recommendation.
7.0/10
WORDS BY DEREK RIX
Ramming Speed hit the road starting tonight with fellow neo-thrashers Municipal Waste, New York Hardcore legends Madball and Suburban Scum. This week long mini-tour covers the North Eastern USA, and will give the band a break, as they have been locked away penning their next full length due in early 2015. This new album comes on the heels of relentless touring and promotion following the excellent and anthemic Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die released from Prosthetic last year. The band is also planning to shoot their first ever video, in their old stomping grounds of Allston (Rock City) Massachusetts at The Monster Shop. For details how to be in the video, filming on August 12th, email the band RammingSpeedVideo@gmail.com for details!
We always like it when record labels quote our reviews about bands in press releases… check this out!
From Prosthetic Records
Since the release of “Doomed to Destroy, Destined To Die,” which was hailed as “a mixture of the party mentality of Andrew W.K. and the sickness of Slayer” (Ghost Cult Magazine), RAMMING SPEED have maintained a consistent tour schedule throughout the U.S. and Canada with the likes of Valient Thorr and Toxic Holocaust, as well as appearing at Metal Injection’s CMJ showcase (Black Anvil, Vattnet Viskar) and Fest 13. As of late, the band have spent most of their time writing for their sophomore label effort, which will be recorded this winter. Full details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Drummer Jonah Livingston shared insight on what to expect from upcoming release: “The new songs sound like Thin Lizzy’s guitar section doing blow with Martyrdod at a house party while Jeff Hanneman’s ghost smashes concrete blocks in the backyard. There’s tons of guitar harmonies, D-beat and more brutal thrash and grind, but we’ve been working hard on the songwriting end of things — keeping the riffs punishing while paying attention to the memorability and catchiness.”
Ramming Speed Tour Dates
8/5 Philadelphia, PA – Kungfu Necktie
8/6 Montclair, NJ – DLV Lounge
8/7 Albany, NY – Bogies #
8/8 Hamilton, ON – Club Absinthe #
8/10 Holyoke, MA – The Waterfront Tavern#
8/12 Allston, MA – Monster Shop (MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT)
8/13 Brooklyn, NY – The Acheron
# with Municipal Waste, Madball, Suburban Scum