VARIOUS ARTISTS „“Thrash Never Dies””

Music: Thrash
Country: Various
Website: www.thrashneverdies.com


Cool Songs: EPSILON-Flash of Genius, 1428-The World That I Know, SABRETUNG-Suicide Terror

“Thrash Never Dies” is an underground compilation featuring garage thrash bands from around the world, four different continents, to be exact. This compilation is a throwback to the days before the internet, when tape trading ruled and demos like METALLICA’s ‘No Life ‘Til Leather’ and NASTY SAVAGE’s ‘Wage of Mayhem’ helped usher in the era of thrash metal.

I say “underground compilation” in the true sense because much of the sound quality is poor. Some bands like Greece’s VIOLATOR and Austria’s EPSILON play well enough to overlook the poor production values, the poor recording even brings a nasty edge to their sound. Other acts like Norway’s T.B.S. and Columbia’s VICTIMIZED have such a crappy sound it is hard to stomach. I question the placement of bands because the worst bands are placed in the beginning and the best at the midway point on until the end of the disc. It seems if you want to hook listeners you would place the best up front. Listeners’ interest tends to wane toward the end of the album, and the first impression is very important. The first impression I had of this disc is that it would be extremely crappy, but I skipped ahead until I found the Joey Belladona-era ANTHRAX meets ‘Kill ‘Em All’ METALLICA sound of the U.S.A.’s 1428.

Other highlights on this comp include the ultra-catchy, head banging goodness of Austria’s SABRETUNG and the tumbling crunch of VIOLATOR. VIOLATOR’s singer has an original voice, coming across as a mix between Schmier of DESTRUCTION and Kurt Brecht of D.R.I. fame. The EPSILON track “Flash of Genius” is another noteworthy track. The said track has the speed and reckless abandon that first made people raise their eyebrows to bands like ANTHRAX, SLAYER, METALLICA, and POSSESSED.

‘Thrash Never Dies’ compilation gives the fan of old school thrash a chance to hear up-and-coming international thrash acts. Some of the acts, like the ones I mentioned in a positive light, will hopefully garnish label attention with this release. Even the not-so-good acts may find a home on a label that better represents their sound (T.B.S. and RIZEN do not belong on this disc because they aren’t thrash). You can pick up a copy for $9.00 from the above-listed website.

note: 6/10

Tracklist

1. Thrasher – T.B.S. (norway)
2. Master Of War – Rizen (USA)
3. Neckbreaker – Victimized (Colombia)
4. Amos Del dolor – Ubergehen (Colombia)
5. When The King Dies – Mercy Kill (Norway)
6. The World That I Know – 1428 (USA)
7. Suicide Terror – Sabretung (Australia)
8. Collapsed Minds – Violator (Greece)
9. Flash of genius – Epsilon (Austria)
10. Schizophrenon – Pace of Hearse (Germany)
11. Trash – Hypnotic Face (Czech Republic)
Total Playing Time: 42:16

Line-up

Various