Getting high on the face-breaking punk/thrash of HI-GH!

As a fan of the raw punk and thrash attack of Itaily’s VIOLENTOR, it’s no wonder why I instantly fell for the rumble and roll of HI-GH.

Yeah, these guys harness enough raw power to kill an elephant, grinding away at teeth-shattering punk and speed metal riffage mixed with head banging rhythms and venomous vocals. At times, with the use of dynamic repetition in their riffs and with vocalist Tommaso Slowly’s in-your-face performance, HI-GH sounds like a speed/thrash-based, less industrial Ministry on steroids (Check out the end to 'HI-GH (Can You Roll It For Me)'). All this is in wonderful contrast to some of HI-GH’s more, shall we say, soulful guitar work, showing a bit of love for their 70s metal influences.

Catchy and pissed, THIS is thrash ’n’ roll at it’s best! Give HI-GH a listen below and then check out their Facebook page here.

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

The NWOTM Blog's Top 10 Albums of 2012

I have finally pieced together the New Wave of Thrash Metal Blog's Top Ten Albums of 2012.

Creating lists based on music favorites is always a difficult task for me because the list changes almost daily. Plus, I don't have the funds to get EVERY single thrash release, so really an "official best-of list" would be rather bogus coming from me. So if you don't see on my list what should be an obvious choice for every thrash top-ten, just know that either I haven't bought the album or your idea of a good album is pure silliness.

Also, let it be known that I originally included an "Honorable Mentions" list as well, but it became way, way too freakin' long. I could have easily made a Top 30 list for the year, but I only have so much time and patience (as do you, I'm sure), so I axed the honorables.

Now...let's get started!!

 10. Conflagrator - Inevitable Punishments

These guys cranked out a killer self-released EP with songs chock-full of thick riffs hammered over heavy, mid-paced rhythms.

9. Dr. Living Dead - Radioactive Intervention

Delivering another lesson in energetic crossover thrash, Dr. Living Dead offered up an album every bit as good as their debut.

8. Bio-Cancer - Ear Piercing Thrash

A chaotic mass of head-jolting riffage and venomous vocals weaved together in a rather original sound. Just an undeniably powerful album.

7. Testament - Dark Roots of Earth

As I said in my review for this album, "Testament managed to take everything they have perfected over the course of the band's career and build upon that foundation to give us an album that is savagely hungry, effectively beautiful, and as heavy as a near-flawless metal album should be." Too true.

6. Violentor - Rot

Their second album is another vicious attack of balls-out punk thrash. The riffs are infectious, creating songs that are satisfyingly catchy and brutal all at once.

5. Insinnerator - Hypothermia

Insinnerator's second release takes the unique sound of their debut and adds a confidence and maturity to the songwriting, making it all tighter, meaner, and completely neck-shredding. Utterly fantastic.

4. Overkill - The Electric Age

Veterans showing the young'uns how to CRUSH! When I read interviews with Blitz about his competitive spirit against the young and hungry thrash bands, he shows that while he and D.D. are older and wiser, they are every bit as hungry. The Electric Age is one hell of a kick in the ass.

3. Tantara - Based on Evil

At the time, the wait for this album to drop was excruciating. So much hype surrounded Based on Evil, and when it finally became available, I felt the music surpassed expectations. Based on Evil rages with well-written thrash, propelled by killer old-school riffing and ripping vocals. This will be considered a classic album within the NWOTM.

2. Lich King - Born of the Bomb

Pure thunder from a band clearly on top of their game. It's interesting to wonder if Lich King knew how special and thoroughly kick-ass an album Born of the Bomb was going to be as they were writing it. I love how people were almost surprised at just how damn good BotB is. We live in crazy times when a band like Lich King still remains unsigned to a solid metal label.

1. 4ARM - Submission For Liberty

Modern thrash done perfectly. With Submission For Liberty, 4ARM created a bulldozer of a metal album with hardly an inch of filler. Completely engrossing, Submission For Liberty contains dynamic musical passages of aggression and beauty that soars along on the backs of tight, well-crated riffs and rhythms. Smart, lively, and it freakin' CRUSHES.

Review: Violentor - Rot

Italy's gutterpunk thrashers VIOLENTOR created a debut album that still holds a high spot on my music-listening rotation. The self-titled album's furious mix of distorted riffs and venomous vocals are both searingly intense and catchy as hell.

With their second album, Violentor hits the ground running with the title track ROT.  Right away you can feel that adrenaline kick in and be comforted that Violentor picks up right where they left us on their debut with a high-octane punk/thrash attack. Why change up the formula if it works so damn well?

Songs like and Free Spree and Daemonical Tutor are blistering pieces of work that bring to mind The Exploited type of riffage - except they take those riffs, push them down in a dirty ally, and kick them around until they are all bruised, bloodied, and full of grit and grime. In turn, those riffs do the same thing to the listener, like a twisted pay-it-forward scheme.

The song Breath of Hate offers a bit more to Violentor's arsenal with a rather slow and foreboding mid-section, offering a nice dynamic. The album closer The Last Sentence is a slow grinder, nearly balancing out the non-stop barrage of balls-out attitude emanating from the previous tracks.

Rot is an all-together mass of kick-ass insanity. I just love how Violentor can make ugly music a thing of beauty.

Listen to the full album below and if you're interested, pick up their CD from EBM Records here.

THRASHLINE! Thrash news and music featuring Dr. Living Dead, Global Thrash Assault, Nuclear Devastation, and MORE!

Hey, let's talk METAL in an all-new info-laced THRASHLINE post!

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So we have less than a week before LICH KING drops their new album Born of the Bomb. Speaking as a fan of the King's previous albums, the new stuff they previewed has surpassed my expectations. If you've heard the tunes Combat Mosh or the already-classic-in-my-book We Came to Conquer, then you know what I'm yapping' about. Catchy, riff-tastic old-school thrash METAL! I'm really excited to hear the rest of this album.

Pre-order this beast here. Tell Lich King I said, "Hi!"






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My brother-in-blog over at the GLOBAL THRASH ASSAULT is in the final stages of unleashing their first thrash compilation album titled Wreck Your Neck! The complete track listing has not been released as of this writing, but so far the project looks more than promising.

Tom Martin, of the aforementioned band Lich King provided the killer cover art.

As a side note, the love and dedication Global Thrash Assault puts into our favorite genre of metal is outstanding. Admittedly I am a little envious of the amount of posts the blog cranks out on a regular basis, and now a freakin' compilation album to help spread to word! Love it!

Keep your eye on them here and here for future details on the album (as well as an onslaught of comments and reviews on your favorite bands).



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Sooooo have we all been keeping tabs on the mighty DR. LIVING DEAD and their upcoming album Radioactive Intervention? It's no secret that I'm a slobbering fan of their debut album and can hardly believe that a new one is on the horizon.

The album is supposed to drop sometime in November, so I would expect to hear a sample of the new stuff SOON, PLEASE…just to satisfy my insatiable thirst for all things Dr. Living Dead. At least we have the new album art. Nice! Other details on the new album can be found here.

If you've been living under a rock, check out their Thrashing the Law EP below and then buy their self-titled debut album!






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From what I understand, Greece's thrash titans BIO-CANCER are still on the lookout for a new guitarist. Man, I am rooting for these guys to find the right person for the job because this HAS to be done right. Why? Because I absolutely LOVE their debut album Ear Piercing Thrash. The riffage on that album has a very specific sound that gives Bio-Cancer a unique voice in thrash metal.

I know the guys in the band are serious about their music and won't just hand the guitar duties to some riffless wonder, but the guy who steps in had better understand what makes Bio-Cancer kick so much ass.

Meanwhile, I'll try not to worry about it (too much) and just put my trust into the Bio-Cancer camp.






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California's ATTACKHEAD will be playing the freakin' HELL and HEAVEN METAL FESTIVAL in good ol' Guadalajara, Mexico! But instead of me wasting my precious lifeblood writing all about it, why don't I just copy and past the press release?

"Southern California thrash metal band Attackhead has announced plans to perform at Hell and Heaven Metal Fest in Guadalajara Mexico on Oct 27th. 

Hell and Heaven Metal Festival is currently the only open air metal festival in Mexico. The Festival is dedicated to metal, but tries to balance genders like: Heavy, Glam, Metalcore, Thrash, Speed, Death, Black and Industrial metal. The festival had its first edition in October 2010 with three stages and 40 bands. In 2011, the promoters exceeded an 20,000 audience and have confirmed 57 international performing artists. This year’s line up will include Attackhead as well as headliners Anthrax and Heathen.

Additionally, Attackhead will be available in Guadalajara Mexico for a Meet and Greet on Friday afternoon sponsored by Metal Mexico.

Singer and lead guitarist Mark Chapman said “This will be our first time in Mexico and we are very excited to get down there and perform for our fans”.   Attackhead is promoting their latest release “Voices in the Dark – Second Attack” which was remixed/mastered and released in August 2011. The album was also released on classic vinyl in February 2012."

Well, that's awesome, right? For more details check out Attackhead here and H&H Fest here.

Hey! Listen to some Attackhead songs!






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Yeah! Luuk H. reminded me that NUCLEAR DEVASTATION have a couple new songs available for your listening pleasure! If you don't know about these guys, here is where I gushed about 'em on this very blog. The new tunes, MetalPunkDeathSquad and Stench of Death are from Nuclear Devastation's split 7" with PRIMAL ORDER, and both are raw and sick as hell.

Check out the songs below (together in one vid), and then check out the band here.







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I don't know what they scream about and I can't read anything on their Facebook page, but Indonesia's FRAGOR kicks all kinds of ass. Plus, their two available songs are posted for FREE download! Check them out here and grab their tunes.






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Those sick bastards VIOLENTOR are getting closer to the November release of their new album titled Rot. As a big fan who has Violentor's debut consistently in my album-listening rotation, I have high hopes for the new one (which I assume will also be released via EBM Records).

The band has graciously released a few song previews for us all to enjoy. Check them out below and keep up with the band here.









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Tennessee's own PARALYZER are on the search for a new drummer. They have been looking for quite a while, and apparently nothing has gelled, so how about any of you thrash drummers out there looking for a gig? Local to the area? Willing to relocate? Living in Antarctica? Whatever! Check out their stuff below and hit them up here.





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I know I pimped out the new Sewercide track off the upcoming 7" split they are doing with RANDOMORDER. So let's flip the album over and listen to Randomorder's tune Resurrection! Great band, great song!

New song from VIOLENTOR!

Here is the beginning of something great. Italy's gutter thrash giants VIOLENTOR have released a rough mix of Better Dead Than Slave, a new song off their upcoming album Rot.

The song is like getting hit with a club wrapped in barbed wire, and it's a pounding that fans of this type of metal will gladly accept.

If you dig their first album, check this stuff out! If you're new to Violentor, listen to Better Dead Than Slave and then hit up a couple of the videos provided below.

VIOLENTOR!!!!

Thrashline: News and comments about Diamond Plate! Cellador! The Zombie Apocalypse Tour! Sonic Pulse and MORE!

 Hey, let's talk metal!




Chicago metal men DIAMOND PLATE are in the process of recording some preproduction demos!  Their Generation Why? album always finds its way back into my music rotation so any news that hints at progress toward album #2 is good news for me!

Actually, I'm a bit surprised they already have some new tunes floating around considering their touring schedule has been freakin' crazy.







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There has been much talk about Boston's SONIC PULSE. Well, why not? If you mix in some members of Razormaze, Skull Hammer, Ravage, and a former member of Vindicator, and have them crank out some killer power thrash, then heads are bound to turn.

If you have ever thought, "I wish there were more thrash in my power metal," or "I wish there were more power metal in my...", well you get the point.

Sonic Pulse plays the type of epic power thrash that makes you want to scream the lyrics while shaking a tightly clenched fist in the air. With fat galloping riffs and the double kick drum on full tilt slam, you can jam to some fun metal about weed, beer, and Bong Zombies. METAL!

Check 'em out and then hit 'em up on the 'ol 'book. Face, that is.








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Speaking of power metal, I just found out that "extreme" power metallers CELLADOR have made their new EP Honor Forth available as a FREE download! I was (and am) a big fan of their debut album Enter Deception. Folks erroneously compare what one finds on Enter Deception to the music of Dragonforce. Actually, the music sounds more like a cross between old Helloween and Iron Maiden on steroids, not theme songs to epileptic attack-inducing video games.

Although these guys went through a bunch of member changes, the mainstay is guitarist Chris Petersen who keeps the music true to Cellador's sound. Interested power metal fans can download the new EP here.

Here's my favorite tune from them. Total, blistering, epic METAL!








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Hey, what's up with TOXIK SOCIETY? Just wondering.








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I pimped the following on my Facebook page earlier, but it's worth mentioning again. The Swedish thrashers known as INCARNIT have released a new single from their upcoming Umbra EP. The song is titled Black Death, and it's full of thick, mid-paced riffage and bad-ass soloing. Give it a listen below and then go tell the Incarnit fellas "hi" on Facebook.








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Brazilian Thrash Maniax VIOLATOR have posted about a YouTube video that contains their full Annihilation Process album. So if you're new to the insanity of Violator, check out the vid below, and behold the sheer frenzy of an all-out deadly thrash attack. VIOLATOR!!!!! Man, do these guys kick total ass or what?








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Greek thrashers EXARSIS will be releasing their debut album Under Destruction through Athens Thrash Attack and Eat Metal Records. The release date is June 15th! If you're not familiar with their music, hit play below and commence of the thrashing.








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Ohhhhh, BOY! The kick-ass monstrosity known as freakin' VIOLENTOR will hit the studio on July 1st to begin recording their new album! This band's debut from EBM Records is a staple in my playlist and I am ready to expand that playlist with another 8 to 10 Violentor songs. For me, this next album can't come out soon enough.

Check out their rough brand of boogie-drunk gutter thrash!








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A big congratulations goes out to the dudes in FOG OF WAR for getting their asses added to this year's Slaughter by the Water music event! The show is going to take place on a freakin' aircraft carrier! METAL! Those who can make it to Alameda, California on August 25th are destined to have a killer time.








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Well, Australian heavyweights 4ARM have finally announced their full US tour as part of the Zombie Apocalypse Tour package! After I noticed that there is not a Kansas City date, I went to eat a pint of ice cream and hugged my pillow for an hour or so. Yeah, I'm sensitive. However, those of you who are lucky enough to have 4ARM make a stop in your neck of the woods, go check 'em out!

VIOLENTOR absolutely freaking ROCKS!

I was going to save this write-up about Italy's VIOLENTOR for the Weekend Breakdown post, but I simply couldn't wait.

Gravelly and pissed, Violentor has their foot planted firmly on the rock 'n' thrash pedal, storming out like an avalanche of rabid badgers. Their music is a demolition derby of metal, punk and thrash that would make the most hardened Motorhead fan cry for joy.

Violentor's diesel-spitting vocals match the rolling guitar riffs and pounding drums, injecting the songs with an intensity that will rip your head off. Raw, fast, and harsh.

Listen below, like 'em on Facebook and if you really like Violentor, their self-titled album is available here from EBM Records.