At a time when most of the world is in quarantine or enforcing some form of lockdown, where the most commonly used phrases are “self-isolation”, “social distancing”, and “what the actual fuck is Trump saying now?”, the currently disbanded, but appropriately named Hospital of Death are aiming to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection by increasing the dosage of thrash metal into your ears.

Formed in Warrington, Cheshire (firstly in 1994 and then again in 2006) the band released two independently distributed albums before splitting up, but with the world in such a heightened state of fear and general what-the-fuckedness, have decided to bring some much-needed levity to the current climate by making them available again. Seriously, what better way to cheer up the contagious metal masses than by listening to a band called Hospital of Death?

Released in 2008, the band’s first album Beer, Bitches, Blood is a collection of enthusiastic thrash, packed with groove and some seriously catchy hooks. Songs such as ‘Kicked to the Kurb’, the zombie-infested ‘Ooh, That’s It’, party song “White the Lightning” and the ridiculously infectious ‘Deathshed’ are all guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, but if they don’t succeed then there’s always ‘I Am the Tiger, ‘Eyezerbeams of Osiris’, ‘Hogs of War’, ‘Fear the Ambulance’ and a brilliant cover of ‘Transformers’ by ’80s act Lion.

2009’s Follow-up Surge Kill Steal (Independent Records) is another highly enjoyable NWOBHM meets thrash album, featuring songs like ‘Enter Titanus’, the delicate and subtle ‘Let’s Go Apeshit’, Lord of the Rings themed ‘Helms Deep’, paean to the mighty Yngwie J Malmsteen ‘The King of Sweden’, and ‘Stormbringers’ which is based on classic John Carpenter movie Big Trouble in Little China. More songs need to be written about that film.

The streams (including links to share and download) can be found on the band’s Facebook page – Hospital of Death (official) or on their Bandcamp page: http://hospitalofdeath.bandcamp.com/

GARY ALCOCK