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!!!"