Bartleboom

 "Harmacy is a broken piggy bank: there are the coins... and there are the pieces."

 "It is a tangle of sadness and things that go or have gone wrong, where, however, there is also room for subtle irony."

Sebadoh's Harmacy is a compelling mix of fragile, lo-fi melodies and rough, raw songs that capture bittersweet emotions and fractured relationships. Though fragmented and less polished than other works, it feels authentic and empathetic. The album balances sadness, irony, and anger with intimate vulnerability, making it a unique listening experience full of heartfelt storytelling and subtle sophistication. Dive into the raw, heartfelt world of Sebadoh’s Harmacy and experience an indie classic like never before.

 "Grin is the hallucinated grimace of delirium, the deformed grin of someone who, for a moment, has seen the abyss."

 "Grin is a skull dressed in velvet... a painting stripped of all colors except black, a man surgically devoid of emotions... all except paranoia."

Coroner's Grin is a daring exploration of thrash metal, substituting speed with slowness and industrial textures. The album showcases Tommy Baron's refined guitar work focused on melodic introspection. With extended tracks and haunting atmospheres, Grin challenges genre norms, offering a cerebral and dark listening experience. While not considered the band's masterpiece, it remains a beautiful and complex album full of innovative ideas and emotional depth. Dive into Coroner's Grin and experience thrash metal redefined with dark atmospheres and innovative melodies.

 "It’s cyber thrash, a sick and distorted vision of an apocalyptic future of technological alienation."

 "Every single track ... follows a non-model: facing the past and present while projecting into the future of metal music."

Killing Technology marks a critical evolutionary phase for Voivod, blending traditional 80s thrash with experimental structures and futuristic, technological themes. The album juxtaposes straightforward speed-thrash with complex, unpredictable compositions, signaling the band's shift toward progressive metal. Although not as groundbreaking as their later works, it sets the foundation for their innovative fusion of metal with psychedelia and sci-fi dystopia. The album captures a vision of technological alienation and apocalyptic futures, rooted in the era's anxieties. Discover how Voivod reshaped thrash metal with Killing Technology—listen now and experience the birth of cyber-thrash.

 "Calling 'Power From Hell' a masterpiece... would be reckless. It is certainly a great 80s thrash/death album, raw, fast, and dark."

 "It is only fair... to attribute the due merits to a band that had the courage to carry forward its musical proposal in a context that was at least hostile."

Onslaught's 1985 debut Power From Hell is a raw and aggressive thrash metal album emerging from the challenging 1980s UK music scene. Despite lineup instability and production flaws, it holds historic importance as a precursor to death metal, blending hardcore roots with a darker, heavier sound. The album stands out for its grim guitar tone and guttural vocals, influencing future extreme metal bands. While not considered a flawless masterpiece, its legacy and fearlessness in a hostile scene are undeniable. Dive into Onslaught's Power From Hell and discover a foundational thrash metal classic that shapes the roots of extreme metal.

 Metal Church flings its doors wide open.

 Pain and melancholy seem to dance looking into each other’s eyes, defining the concept of a power ballad.

Metal Church's 1984 debut album displays remarkable unpredictability and heterogeneity, blending various metal subgenres with creativity and soul. The album features outstanding guitar riffs, a tight rhythm section, and David Wayne's powerful and versatile vocals. Each track is a carefully crafted gem, mixing heavy, speed, thrash, and power metal elements. The record remains a timeless classic and a legacy of its late vocalist. Dive into Metal Church's debut album and experience a metal journey like no other—listen now and discover a true classic!

 'By Inheritance' is markedly different from (and, in my opinion, superior to) what the band had done before, a result of continuous technical and compositional evolution over the years.

 The songwriting and compositional approach itself have significantly changed: the inherent need for aggression typical of the genre is perfectly wedded with a constant search for non-trivial melodies, refined solutions, and complex arrangements.

Artillery's 1989 album 'By Inheritance' marked a significant evolution in their sound, blending traditional thrash with melodic and technical complexity. Despite poor label support and disappointing sales, the album stands out as their masterpiece. Produced by Flemming Rasmussen, it showcased refined songwriting, varied vocal performances, and rich guitar work. The review highlights the band's struggles with past releases and touring but praises this album's artistic growth and lasting impact. Listen to Artillery's 'By Inheritance' and explore this underrated thrash metal gem that combines power, melody, and technical skill.

 "Brocas Helm showcases an objectively impressive creativity, astonishing for the richness of ideas, complexity of compositions, and arrangements."

 "The production is not simply poor; it’s nonexistent, often making it difficult to understand what the band is playing."

Brocas Helm's 1984 debut album 'Into Battle' stands out as a creatively rich and compositionally complex epic metal record heavily influenced by NWOBHM. Despite its originality and instrumental prowess, the album suffers from extremely poor production quality and weak vocal performance. Released in the U.S. during a rise of thrash and power metal, its traditional sound faced an uphill battle for recognition. Nevertheless, the album remains a hidden gem appreciated for its ambitious musical concepts. Discover the epic creativity of Brocas Helm's 'Into Battle' and dive into a classic NWOBHM-inspired metal experience.

 "Psalm 9 is a funereal doom record, monumental and oppressive, evil and sulfurous in sound."

 "Each track becomes an excellent example of classic '80s doom, powerful and never banal, exalted by a strong epic component."

Trouble's Psalm 9 is an influential 1984 debut album blending doom metal with epic and apocalyptic religious elements. The record channels classic Sabbath-inspired riffs alongside a powerful vocal performance from Eric Wagner, resulting in a monumental and atmospheric work. Its dark themes and theatrical style stand out as a hallmark of 80s doom. The album is praised for its dynamic compositions and strong production quality. Explore Trouble's Psalm 9 for a classic doom metal journey filled with heavy riffs and intense vocals!

 What really makes Tankard great is an added value lacking in the vast majority of metal bands: (self) irony.

 Tankard will certainly not be remembered... for having churned out who knows what masterpieces, but they deserve due respect for producing dignified extreme music for over twenty years.

Tankard's 1988 album 'The Morning After' stands as a peak in the band's career, delivering aggressive, fast-paced German thrash metal with catchy vocals and intense solos. While originality is modest, the album's heavy self-irony and beer-themed lyrics set it apart. The band's dedication and humorous approach to metal culture make them a beloved fixture. Overall, the album is recommended for fans of 80s thrash and those who appreciate an entertaining twist on the genre. Explore Tankard's 'The Morning After' for a fast, fun, and fiercely funny thrash metal experience!

 "Angel Witch is a creature as beautiful as it is sad, haunting and melancholic."

 "This album is unanimously considered among the most lucid and successful episodes of the entire NWOBHM."

Angel Witch's self-titled debut, released in 1980, is a cornerstone of the NWOBHM scene marked by its originality and haunting themes. Kevin Heybourne's melancholic vocals and effective guitar riffs create a timeless, inspired metal masterpiece. Despite early promise, lineup instability hindered further success. The album remains essential listening for metal fans and is praised for its blend of musical influences and evocative artwork. It stands as a necessary and influential relic in heavy metal history. Explore the haunting and influential sounds of Angel Witch – a must-listen debut for every metal fan!