Candlelight Records
2007
1. Burn
2. Killing Peace
3. Destroyer of Worlds
4. Pain
5. A Prayer for the Dead
6. Tested to Destruction
7. Twisted Jesus
8. Planting Seeds of Hate
9. Shock & Awe
Onslaught is one part of a large fraternity of bands who put out a few albums in the 80s then vanished and have now decided to reemerge in this sort of thrash revival going on. I'd always thought they were alright, but wouldn't really count them among my favorites of the genre or anything. That being said, I love a good thrash metal album and was hoping this sort of a reunion might bring a little thrashing to the modern era. This new lineup is essentially made up of the lineup of their second album featuring the two core members Nige Rockett and Steve Grice plus 'The Force' vocalist Sy Keeler.
One thing that caught my attention on the return of this UK based thrash band was the man behind the knobs... Andy Sneap. Frankly, anything with that man producing is going to Sound good even if the music is subpar. The man knows how to make a band sound as metal as they can be and this one is no exception as this is one thick and heavy sounding ride. In a lot of ways this reminds me of another band which Andy Sneap produced the comeback for... Exodus. This album blends traditional thrashing with a thicker, more modern sound and includes some more groove oriented material sprinkled well in the mix. The trade off between rip and groove is one of this albums strengths and keeps the songs varied in a way that also kinda reminds me of OverKill, circa From The Underground & Below perhaps. The album has a very dark mood and it is very suiting to the lyrics and this sort of music in general. I've gotta give a kudos to Sy Keeler too who manages to drive this album along with such incredible intensity. From low, almost death-ish growls to a howling rasp somewhere between Steve Souza and Bobby Blitz this one never lacks in energy and heaviness from the vocal department. Really I find no flaws in this release in any way. Onslaught seem to have found the perfect way to update themselves and place themselves towards the top of the pile of thrash metal bands recording right now.
From start to finish this album pulls no punches. Musically and vocally this album just delivers one hell of a solid headbanging experience. Add to that the great production and memorability of the songs and you have one damn good thrash metal release in my book. This band has come back as strong as they ever have and this one gives me another strong hope for thrash metal in this day and age. Recommended to fans of newer Exodus, OverKill, and Tankard.
Highlights: Killing Peace, Twisted Jesus, Tested To Destruction, Pain
Rating - 4.0/5
2. Killing Peace
3. Destroyer of Worlds
4. Pain
5. A Prayer for the Dead
6. Tested to Destruction
7. Twisted Jesus
8. Planting Seeds of Hate
9. Shock & Awe
Onslaught is one part of a large fraternity of bands who put out a few albums in the 80s then vanished and have now decided to reemerge in this sort of thrash revival going on. I'd always thought they were alright, but wouldn't really count them among my favorites of the genre or anything. That being said, I love a good thrash metal album and was hoping this sort of a reunion might bring a little thrashing to the modern era. This new lineup is essentially made up of the lineup of their second album featuring the two core members Nige Rockett and Steve Grice plus 'The Force' vocalist Sy Keeler.
One thing that caught my attention on the return of this UK based thrash band was the man behind the knobs... Andy Sneap. Frankly, anything with that man producing is going to Sound good even if the music is subpar. The man knows how to make a band sound as metal as they can be and this one is no exception as this is one thick and heavy sounding ride. In a lot of ways this reminds me of another band which Andy Sneap produced the comeback for... Exodus. This album blends traditional thrashing with a thicker, more modern sound and includes some more groove oriented material sprinkled well in the mix. The trade off between rip and groove is one of this albums strengths and keeps the songs varied in a way that also kinda reminds me of OverKill, circa From The Underground & Below perhaps. The album has a very dark mood and it is very suiting to the lyrics and this sort of music in general. I've gotta give a kudos to Sy Keeler too who manages to drive this album along with such incredible intensity. From low, almost death-ish growls to a howling rasp somewhere between Steve Souza and Bobby Blitz this one never lacks in energy and heaviness from the vocal department. Really I find no flaws in this release in any way. Onslaught seem to have found the perfect way to update themselves and place themselves towards the top of the pile of thrash metal bands recording right now.
From start to finish this album pulls no punches. Musically and vocally this album just delivers one hell of a solid headbanging experience. Add to that the great production and memorability of the songs and you have one damn good thrash metal release in my book. This band has come back as strong as they ever have and this one gives me another strong hope for thrash metal in this day and age. Recommended to fans of newer Exodus, OverKill, and Tankard.
Highlights: Killing Peace, Twisted Jesus, Tested To Destruction, Pain
Rating - 4.0/5
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