Warbastard
Principia Thrashmatica
Demonhood
Productions
2013
The
UK's latest entity to charge into the thrash warzone is Newcastle's
own, Warbastard! As soon as I pop this album in my player I can
hear why Demonhood signed them up so quickly. This is some full
developed and giant sounding thrash with tons of old school US thrash
influences. The opening, repetitive riff on Def Con Thrash brings
to mind some early Nuclear Assault but then the speed quickens for even
more devastating riffage. A catchy riff with melodic accents is
coupled with some interesting soloing. When you combine the
songwriting and the vocal style you can hear some old Laaz Rockit in
there as well. Panzerbastard batters you with meaty riffs and
gang vocals while it gallops along at a violent pace. Some more
Bay Area tinged thrash sets up a nice groove on Headbanger's Balls.
At around the 1:15 mark there some seriously acrobatic drumming
that takes place. Then Warbastard shift into high gear on Speed
Metal Holocaust. A smashing main riff relentlessly hammers away
at your eardrums and the chorus is so catchy you can't help but sing
along. The ode to true love, Thrash Metal Cumsluts, opens with a
ropey bass guitar and a sinister black metal vibe. Then the
slamfest begins. There is a very traditional thrash metal feel to
the riffs and I can hear shades of Metal Church and some Overkill
lurking in there as well. It's a tasty song to be sure and the
guitar soloing is almost over the top. Whereas Untamed Orthodoxy
is a very driving song with crunchy riffs and a single-minded approach.
The album closes with a fun and insanely entertaining song, 1983.
It wears its tribute to early thrash/late speed metal on its
sleeve, or patched vest as it were. Warbastard's debut is a nice
bridge between the dirtier thrash espoused by many in today's
underground and the beefy carnage from the old Bay Area scene.
"This is a speed metal holocaust!!!"