Rotting Cadaver-Deadication To Kill

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Released on April 23rd, "Dedication To Kill" appears to be the first album from Ohio's own Rotting Cadaver. If that's the case then mad props are in order for this (hardcore-infused) crossover/raw thrash metal band! With nine-tracks in all and a run-time of under twenty minutes, "Dedication To Kill" opens up strong with a hardcore thrasher called "Let it Die" and then moves on quickly to the group's signature song.  On the gut-puncher that is "Rotting Cadaver" this Ashtabula-based band pays homage to the crossover scene of yesterday (or more specifically the mid-eighties to early nineties one!) while simultaneously tossing some (bleak) black metal-like vocals into the mic. It's a sick mash-up that helps set the pace for the rest of this brutal and provocative release! Sandwiched in between the garage thrashers "Dead Stop" and "Precious Death" you have "Fucked" and "Christian Faith is Fake(CFIF)". The later clocks in at 53 seconds while "Fucked" is just 30 seconds long! These two tracks are quick and lethal and they give "Dedication To Kill" a bit more of a hardcore punk vibe. Elsewhere you have "Anger Within", "War" and "Kill Them All". All three tracks are cool, but it is the ever present groove of "Anger Within" that I really dig. On said track the guys in Rotting Cadaver put a tiny bit of Pantera into what is otherwise some killer (raw and riff-heavy) thrash. It's a nice change-up and it goes a long ways toward showcasing the group's versatile edge. By the time the Slayer-like "Kill Them All" closed things off I was definitely sold on this band's skill and potential. For more information on this young band be sure to head over to the group's Facebook page. Honestly it does not give us a lot to go by, but at least it offers an opportunity to follow this Ohio metal band.

Angerhead-Fueled by Rage

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Angerhead is a California heavy metal band that was formed back in February of 2011 by lead vocalist Paul Hastey (Plaster) and guitarist Eric Beard (Bomb and Scary, Dr.Chunk, Xzanthus). Bassist Jim Pegram (Mudface, Imagika, Skinner) and drummer David O'Neal (Stormy Strong) round things out for this San Jose-based four-piece that now has a catalog that consists of three extreme EPs. Angerhead's latest release was produced by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Testament) and this ear-splitting 5-song EP is a fitting follow-up to equally enjoyable (and just as brutal!) "Headful of Hate". Both EPs feature Angerhead's patented brand of crossover thrash metal even if their new studio recording here has a bit more going for it thanks to the inclusion of one choice cover! For those of you who have not been paying attention we are talking about Angerhead's stylistic take on "Iron Fist" and that classic Motörhead number closes this EP out in grand style!! That's the end though so where do we begin with the heavy-hitting "Fueled by Rage"? Well, how about we start with this EP's take on death metal-infused punk thrash metal? That crushing bit of metal anarchy is "So Cold" and it BLASTS it's way into the picture! From there we have "Face The Fear" with it's unmerciful combination of speed metal, thrash and hardcore, "Legacy of Hate" (old school thrash meets extreme hardcore fury!) and some headbanging crossover thrash from hell in "Take Me As I Am"! With these four legit songs on the front end and that head-splitting cover of "Iron Fist" on the back end there is no way in hell that you can go wrong with "Fueled by Rage"! Angerhead's new five-track release just SCREAMS to be played LOUD and fucking PROUD and if this BEAST of a EP doesn't get this band noticed then I'm afraid nothing will!

Free Metal Monday: Swamp Wolf-Demo 2015

Self-Release/Independent
2015

More free metal from Flagstaff, Arizona? You bet your sweet ass! First we had the epic/power metal band Ice Sword with their brand new demo and now we have the latest release from Swamp Wolf. It's another name-your-own-price digital download, but whereas Ice Sword's recording was all about style and grace this particular tour demo runs straight towards you like a homicidal lunatic with an ax to grind! While the members of Swamp Wolf boldly claim "We just want to shred" on their Facebook info page they leave off the part at the end which says until you're good and dead! But then again that's just the nature of the beast when you are discussing punk/hardcore-tinged (heavy) thrash metal that's been soaked in street metal, black metal and the blood of a thousand vanquished enemies! Ah, good times......