Eisenhauer-Horse Of Hell

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Formed in 2007 and featuring Simon Bihlmayer of the German thrash band Running Death, Eisenhauer is a four-piece band whose hearty sound threads the thin line between hard & heavy metal and thrash. This well-regarded four-track EP serves as the group's latest effort and it is the naturally follow-up to to the band's 2013 full-length debut, "Never Surrender". Interestingly enough "Horse of Hell" features a song called "Never Surrender" and it's a slam-dunk slab of guitar-heavy metal! But, we're getting ahead of ourselves as there are other topics on the table that need to be addressed. First off the line-up is rounded by vocalist/guitarist Christian "Waxe" Wagner, bassist Thomas "Ase" Aschermann, and drummer Johann Bechteler. The aforementioned Simon Bihlmayer handles additional guitar duties for this Bavarian quartet and the six-string department is really where it's at when it comes to Eisenhauer. The guitar work on "Horse Of Hell" is second to none and it gives this band's heavy metal/thrash sound a sweet touch of rock and roll! With Christian "Waxe" Wagner's voice serving as the cherry on the top of this metallic treat, Eisenhauer whips out four tracks of instantly enjoyable metal that is all at once classic and modern in it's approach. Self-described as "ASS KICKIN´METAL" (an apt description), Eisenhauer does the metal community a solid when it comes to the four-track "Horse Of Hell" as this one ends up being a hidden gem in a vast field of complete rubbish (AKA: Much of what passes for new heavy metal these days!). Had I actually managed to compile a "Best Of" list for 2015 this EP would have made the cut as it's the complete package: Top notch songwriting and performances that is balanced out by a stellar production! What more could a metal fan ask for then that? You can find these guys online by heading here and as the final thought I just want to thank METALMESSAGE for sending this band's information my way. Good metal isn't impossible to find these days, but it sure does help matters when you have folks like METALMESSAGE looking out for you!

Deathless Creation-Thrash 'N' Roll

Timezone Records
2015

Formed on New Year's Day, 2012, Deathless Creation is a German metal band whose current line-up features vocalist/guitarist Benne Rommel, guitarist Vlad Nikolov (Slartibartfass, ex-The Witches Sabbath, ex-Daargesin, ex-Encryption, ex-Total Hate), bassist Eric Arikan, and drummer Stefan Schaubele. The aptly-titled "Thrash 'N' Roll" is the full-length debut album from Deathless Creation and it was preceded in life by the independently-released "Endless Source of Power". Prior to that (worthwhile) 4-cut EP this Günzburg, Bavaria-based quartet released a 2012 demo by the name of "Insanity". You can find both the "Endless Source of Power" EP and the 12-track "Thrash 'N' Roll" over on this group's bandcamp page. Up front my personal advice would be to snag both up on CD, but that recommendation would probably make a hell of a lot more sense to you once I've actually covered this well-sculpted slab of rock! And "rock" it does! It also thrashes along merrily, but with this disc's title and all what more would you expect out of it? How about some eighties metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. love? That sounds good right? Well, I'll tell you want. It sounds even better "live" than it does on paper! With their mash-up of thrash, traditional heavy metal, eighties metal, N.W.O.B.H.M., and heavy rock a band like Deathless Creation has a lot going for it right out of the gate. After all we are talking about a lot of my favorite things here and chances are (taste-wise) the same can be said of a lot of our readers. Really all that is missing is some old-school punk and this would be the perfect cocktail! Could you even imagine that greatness? Wow! Regardless, "Thrash 'N' Roll" is fun ride with plenty of interesting twists and turns along the route. To be fair this four-piece is a tad raw around the edges. For me it's all part of the charm, but it's still best to point it out so that no one complains about this being more garage metal than grand metal. Especially because you know someone would! 

Arising Fear-Beyond Betrayal

Self-Released/Independent 
2014


The year-2008. The place-Augsburg, Bavaria. The band-Arising Fear. The style-metalcore/thrash. That is the when, where, who and what of the equation that is t the heart of this German four piece band. And yet it still leaves a lot of questions remaining doesn't it? For one thing the actual players are Alex Rauh (vocals/guitar) , Kevin Pöllmann (guitar/vocals), Tom Franz (bass) and Tobi Möhring (drums). And the style? Well, it's a bit more complex then all of that, as it's the old throw everything in (heavy meal, thrash metal, metalcore, groove metal) and see what sticks, and yet it's simpler then all of those different elements would suggest. Up front I'll say that this LP was a long time coming for me, waiting and waiting and more waiting, and I had hoped to have a physical copy on hand instead of relying on MP3s (it just makes life all the more easier when you have a actual CD copy to go by-just an FYI for future submissions) so I can't comment much on lyrics and such. It is what it is. The music on the other hand can be discussed so, the pros and cons. Pros would be attitude (aggressive, to the point outlook/mentality), technical ability and the realization that Arising Fear are on to something with their actual music! The four guys involved with Arising Fear offer up a semi-unique take on modern thrash and when they are on the material really CRANKS! The cons though, or really just con, would be the need for a wee bit more consistency (some tracks were really cool and then there were occasions where I just wondered if I was missing something) from start to finish. As this is the band's first full-length (a 2009 self-titled EP served as a precursor to "Beyond Betrayal") and they are still working out some of the kinks the lack of consistency can be excused. The best bet to take on Arising Fear would be that by album number three (possible two, but let's say three to be on the safe side) these four will be whipping out "drop the hammer"-style metal that will balance out the band's aggressive attitude and technical know-how. For now this one is good, not average or great, thrash metal/metalcore with signs of future promise for those with patience.