As if the past forty years hadn’t flown by quickly enough for German thrash titans Destruction, it’s already time to move forward from the anniversary celebrations of 2023 and get back to the bread and butter of studio recordings. On their sixteenth full-length release (fifteenth if you ignore 1988’s anomalous The Least Successful Human Cannonball), Birth of Malice (Napalm Records), the band’s founder member Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer looks to the past, present, and future for inspiration, reminiscing over old times as well delivering warnings and observations of a more contemporary nature.Continue reading
Tag Archives: crossover thrash
ALBUM REVIEW: Stress Test – Stress Test
The more uncertain the times, the more violent the reaction. A point proven in the eighties with the explosion of Hardcore and Thrash, and this self-titled debut by Oregon act Stress Test is like taking a step back into that time. A time when everyday existence meant the fear of war, disease and hate; a time when religion and politics were even more corrupt and depraved than certain types of criminals. The sad thing is though, you only have to spend thirty seconds watching the TV or doomscrolling through your news feed to see history repeating itself, only worse and often in more insidious ways.Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Cannibal Corpse – Municipal Waste – Immolation – Schizophrenia Live at Victoria Warehouse
Despite an ungodly early 5:30 doors Belgium Death/Trash collective Schizophrenia are met with a packed room as the Manchester crowd swarm Victoria Warehouse for a night of promised chaos. The thrashy death onslaught that Schizophrenia produce is a pummeling start to the evening for sure, perfect for ridding the lingering aches of a long work week with plenty of fist pumping and head banging.Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: GWAR – Brat – The Native Howl Live at The Pageant
GWAR band photo 2024 – with permission from PR
In what seems like an impossibly long time, this reviewer found his way back to the legendary club on Delmar Ave, The Pagent. Not much had changed in the intervening five years, and it felt like home. On this particular evening, crossover, extreme, theater, sci-fi, porno-grind what nots, GWAR would be taking the stage, and staining the dance floor.Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: OTTTO – Bastardane Live at The House of Blues Chicago
On August 10th OTTTO and Bastardane – both prominent groups within the modern hard rock scene – came to Chicago in light of their current Reconquest Tour. The two rock outfits are no strangers to touring together, as both bands played together the previous summer as well. The Reconquest Tour sees both Bastardane and OTTTO in new fashions, but when it comes to each group’s signature sound, talent and onstage energy – those matters remain the same.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Hatchend – Summer of ‘69
A new group, known simply as Hatchend, has forcibly hatched its way into existence with members from differing death metal and grindcore bands. The debut album, Summer of ‘69 (Selfmadegod Records) dropped and it goes full throttle for thirty-three minutes. Bringing in their previous influences and dumping them on top of crossover foundations sets up quite the demolition derby of sound.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Cavalera – Schizophrenia
There is something about the Sepultura sound which has rightfully allowed it to stand the test of time. It could be the bombastically frantic stringwork which has the capacity to power some cities. It could also be the cavernous, cacophonous screams and shouts. The drums never disappoint, and the production is mischievous yet meticulously guided.Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Ryan Waste (Municipal Waste) Discusses The New Release from BAT – “Under The Crooked Claw”
In this episode, Keefy chats with Ryan Waste (Municipal Waste) all about his other band, BAT and their second full-length album “Under The Crooked Claw” out now via Nuclear Blast Records! Ryan discussed the new album, the growth of the band, his life in music, and a hint of next moves from his main act, MW!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow
Fu Manchu formed in 1985 as Hardcore-Punk outfit Virulence whose sole release 1988’s If This Isn’t A Dream… has been reissued by Southern Lord. After this came a name and musical style change reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity who undertook a similar evolution themselves. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Exhorder – Defectum Omnium
After returning from hiatus with the rather good comeback album Mourn The Southern Skies in 2019, New Orleans Thrash Metal legends Exhorder are at it again with new album Defectum Omnium (Nuclear Blast Records) – thankfully not making us wait another twenty-seven years. Continue reading