JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 9/3/09

 

LAZARUS AD / THE ONSLAUGHT

 

If you like you’re Thrash Metal, riff leaden, straight between the eyes with no frills, then this debut from American’s Lazarus AD is just what you’re looking for.

 

The title “The Onslaught” is very apt indeed as that is just what the guys do you your senses and their Groove laden Thrash Metal is full of old school influences’, updated for the 21st Century, if you bought the “Thrashing Like A Maniac” compilation in 2008 then the first track “Last Breath” will be well known to you already and the rest of the CD is just as good.  The next track is “Thou Shall Not Fear” which is just as good as any of the current crop of Thrash bands and they can certainly hold their own with Riff laden guitar histrionics a plenty, the two part title track is 9 minutes of pure Metallic frenzy and let’s face it we wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

If you like any of the original Thrash bands, Testament, Overkill, etc, then you will love Lazarus AD as al the tracks are well written and played to perfection and well deriving of album of the week, if you’re serious about your Thrash Metal you must have this.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.myspace.com/lazarusad1 & http://www.metalblade.co.uk/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 43 mins + 10 CRUSHING TRACKS

 

 

CRIMINAL / WHITE HELL

 

I first came across the Thrash Metal band from Chile in 2000, when they released their excellent album “Cancer”, now signed to Massacre Records, this is the best album the band have done since then, every track is totally awesome.

 

The twin lead guitar work on this album is mind-blowingly good, the playing is absolutely inspired and the songs themselves are second to none and give, Testament and Death Angel and damned good run for their money, one listen to “Crime And Punishment” or the superb opening track “21st Century Paranoia” will convince you that these guys mean business and know a thing or three about playing world class Thrash Metal.  The fantastic Metal doesn’t end their either, just listen to how good “Black Light”, “Eyes Of Temptation” and “Strange Ways” are and tell me that you don’t like them.  Every track sees the guys playing their heart out, with total conviction and absolute perfection, from the interplay between the bass and drums and the riffs just keep coming with no let up at all, every track is a total winner, no fillers on here at all.

 

This is yet more proof, if any more were needed that Criminal are not just one of the best Metal bands in their native Chile but of the world, if you like Metal, you cant fail to love this brilliant CD, a clear album of the week by a long shot.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.criminal1.com/ & http://www.massacre-records.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 50 mins + 12 SCORCHING TRACKS