Believe it or not – this is a debut-album (apart from a 6-track
demoCD), but not just from any band – these guys are the winners of
the Metal Battle competition 2006, chosen among around 1500 bands,
and “crowned” in Wacken. The band based in Celle in Germany, existed
for only just about two years, but has with a recording like this
the potential to break through and stand out from the average thrash
band.
They are true to the thrash-tradition Both American and British),
with a base of groovy riffs (headbangin’ and moshin’ unavoidable),
and at the same time bringing new life into the genre with several
progressive elements and even melodic rocking parts, making this a
solid and very interesting release. Frontman (lead vocals and guitar)
Mutz Hempel manages to be both the classic thrash vocalist (scream &
shout) and in places also add melody to his singing, nice going!
Generally you can’t put a finger on the musicianship of the members
(apart from M.H. it’s Marcelo Vasquez, lead guitar and backing
vocals; Martin Froese, Bass and backing vocals, and Felix Hoffmeyer,
drums), its steady and convincing.
Well known producer Andy Classen has seen to, that the sound on this
album is tight and pounding, just as it’s supposed to be for this
style. The six numbers from the demo is also featured on this debut,
but in a rerecorded version – the only one of them they maybe should
have left out, is the slower “In the End”, in my opinion it doesn’t
quite add up to the rest in quality and pace.
Do
you like thrash the Pantera- or Souls At Zero-way and don’t mind an
edge (of surprise), go with Drone.
Recommended tracks:
"Jericho"(power-intro!), "Life of Riley" (cool rhythmic build and
instrumental piece in the second half) and "Welcome to the Pit"
(among other groovers).
