Ramming Speed’s No Epitaphs (Prosthetic Records) an album from a band so unapologetically thrashy that their records would be better sleeved in a leather jacket that reeked of weed. It’s the kind of music that takes you back in time, 1986, to be exact. Grindcore, black, and death metal were still in the prototype stage so thrash was the king of the extreme metal hill. The beer soaked apex capped by stellar offerings like Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? and Reign in Blood.
But that was almost 30 years ago. New subgenres emphasized further break-neck speed and lower guitar tunings. In 2015 thrash metal may no longer reign supreme, but it’s still got fire in the belly as proven by both the veteran (Machine Head) and young (Sylosis, Skeletonwitch, et al) alike.
Ramming Speed are on a mission to prove that they belong in that new echelon of thrash elite. The challenge for any young band in this particular style is how to make music that can both channel their forefathers and still sound vital and poignant. Otherwise you’re just a bunch of blokes in vests trying to relive the eighties.
Right from the onset Ramming Speed live up to their name and more often than not hit the bullseye. ‘No Foregiveness in Death’ is a storm of Jonah Livingston kick drums and fierce shred from guitar the guitar tandem of Kallen Bliss and Blake Chuffskin. ‘Beasts of Labor’ sounds like the mean offspring of Metallica and Revocation that’s been raised on Mountain Dew and neglect.
But Ramming Speed also have some death metal in their genetic makeup as ‘The Life we Choose’ features some kinetic blastbeat bursts. And then you have ‘Truth to Power’ which has straight up needle in the red moments that would make Napalm Death proud.
While it has the occasional lapses (‘Super Duty’ is very much paint by numbers) No Epitaphs is an admirable and no frills metal record. However the disclaimer here is that if you’re the type that’s turned off by thrash metal’s lack of progressive tendencies or hates Dimebag Darrell you’re gonna have a bad time here. But if you’re the guy who shouts “Slayer!” during any metal show or public gathering then strap in and take the ride.
8.0/10
HANSEL LOPEZ
Ramming Speed has paid their dues in the very competitive Boston metal scene, going back to their humble beginnings as Despotic Robot. Perhaps cutting their teeth in shows in basements, VFW halls, and crack house hovels helps a band prepare for touring the world. Ghost Cult chatted with drummer Jonah Livingston, and he is one of the most real and down to earth guys you will ever meet. Ramming Speed’s new album is out on Prosthetic Records, and if you don’t already own Doomed To Destroy, Destined To Die; something is seriously wrong with you and your taste in metal is questionable.
Ramming Speed are a relatively new-jack “neo”-thrash outfit from Massachusetts, but unlike their peers in Havok, Fueled By Fire, and Bonded By Blood, they prove that they’re doing more than reliving the (G)olden days of Exodus and pre-Black Album Metallica; they’ve got the nuance and the unadulterated energy to pull off more than the occasional stint in a dive bar or DIY venue in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. Area code need not be included because the pigs would eagerly eat it up.