Drone
Head-on Collision

 
Release date: February 16th 2007
Label: Armageddon Music
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Website: www.dronemetal.com
Style: Thrash Metal
Rating: 86/100
Reviewed by: Claus Melsen
Date: February 8th 2007

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).