Tag Archives: Thrash Metal

Houston, Texas-based Distartica is a Power Trio with the drummer as the lead vocalist. Interesting trivia; he’s blind and rocks harder than you. Never one’s to shy away from difficult topics, they cover current events, various controversies, and mortality in their lyrics, making sure to address topics that are sure to get a reaction and make the listener think. In Silence They Scream is their sophomore effort, following 2017’s notable debut, In Flames We Rise. After more than a decade of honing their craft, you will hear clear, concise music and complex, coherent lyrics that are sure to catch your ear and get fully embedded in your brain.

Blazoner is a three-piece band hailing from Fredericksburg, Virginia. One thing that is immediately noticeable is that all three members provide vocals, putting them in a category not often used; vocal Power Trio. This allows for some very interesting voice usage, including harmonic and dissonant themes where they use cleans to offset grit and distortion. Blazoner weaves through many styles and genres, including, but not limited to, Doom, Heavy, Thrash, and Melodic Metal. Heavy riffing is bolstered with equally heavy rhythms that wrap around the electrifying vocals to create a sonic wave that will wash over you and leave you waiting for the next wave to bring another crash of audible heaviness.

Stockholm, Sweden-based Ignited is a multi-national four-piece band formed in 2017. Cradle Of The Wicked is their sophomore album and a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Steelbound. The band was born in Brazil and has since relocated. Featuring two Brazilians, one Londoner, and a Swede, there is a diversity to their lineup that is reflected in their sound as well. Their music has elements of Bay Area thrash, NWOBHM, Classic Heavy Metal, and some Power Metal all fused into one excellent blend of heaviness with a distinct tone.

Razed Ritual is a Thrash/Death Metal band from Washington state that adds elements of Groove Metal and Metalcore to round out a unique sound. Formed in 2008, they apparently took a break after releasing a demo, only to re-emerge in 2023 with a brutal debut full-length album, Detrimentum. Nine tracks that vary from heavy as hell to freaking brutal is what you get from this outfit. This is not for the faint of heart, don’t come here expecting to get something that will soothe your soul and give you chill vibes. By the end of this disc, you’ll be breathless and have a very sore neck. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Infestation is one of the new voices of Thrash Metal. Hailing from Germany, they bring a Teutonic fury to a genre that sometimes gets stuck in 1980s Bay Area sounds. Infestation smashes that trend with indomitable guitar work, frenetic rhythms, and harsh vocals. You will hear Classic Era Thrash influences throughout their music, but there is a modern twist added that gives this debut album a new sound.

Gun Recoil is a Thrash Metal band formed in Athens, Greece in 2020. After three years, they have finally released their debut EP, Underground Prison. Having formed during a worldwide pandemic, it is no surprise it took this long to get the first record out. Built on the belief that the 80s Bay Area Thrash was one of the greatest eras in music, Gun Recoil seeks to honor that time while establishing its voice. This is a well-rounded Thrash EP ready to take a spot in your current listening rotation.

Nasty is a German/Belgian combo Hardcore band originally formed in 2004 as Van Damme. After almost 20 years, they have established themselves as one of the breakdown greats. On Heartbreak Criminals, they show off those talents over and over, proving they know how to shift into a Hardcore mainstay with precision and expertise. Chugging guitars and thundering rhythms are the mainstays of their sound, dominating each song and providing a consistent sound. There is no doubting who these guys are or what they want to do; make you lose your shit in the pit. Grab some space and get ready to thrash!

Anger As Art is exactly what you would expect from their name; brutality with refinement. Sludgy, Doom-laden guitar work with harsh vocals start the record off beautifully in “The Crushing Wheel.” The intro segment is slow, heavy, dark, and quite moving. The fade out with just the bass elevates the song to new heights. That is a bold ending and it works very well.