Onslaught
The Force

THE REVIEW

1986 was undoubtedly the most significant year concerning the verb Thrash Metal. Master of Puppets/Reign In Blood/Peace Sells... are material for a petition aimed at the promulgation of the sixth star on Debaser, they are so indispensable. Not to forget gems like Energetic Dissassembly and Pleasure To Kill by Watchtower and Kreator. Amidst all this chaos of brutality and class, the English band Onslaught can calmly claim a worthy spot thanks to "The Force", a shining example of sonic destruction Made in Europe. Having archived - but never completely - the splendid and wild Venom-style charges of their debut "Power From Hell", the Bristol-based band decided it was time for devastation and fed their masterpiece to the ravenous fans of the time. What I've always loved about this album is its damn old school sound; a relentless assault with no frills, which is in every respect the ideal meeting point between "Show No Mercy" and "Hell Awaits".

The recruitment of the talented Sy Keeler (and the consequent rerouting of Paul Mahoney to bass and Jesse Stallard to the second guitar) undoubtedly benefited the destructive economy of the platter, allowing Nige Rockett and his companions to indulge in very long and tortuous tracks; "Let There Be Death", "Metal Forces", "Fight With The Beast" - the first three outbursts, besides having become anthems for hundreds of fans, share a common denominator: exciting starts, pounding rhythm punctuated by tireless drumwork (Steve Grice), lightning-fast solos, and an indomitable voice that explodes like a wild splinter (a magazine from the period literally defined it as 'it's as if Cronos made a single bite of Araya, spitting him out immediately afterward...'). The gloomy piano openings of "Demoniac" and especially the elephantine bell tolls that introduce "Flame Of The Antichrist" - for the writer, the gem of the album with its dizzying riffs and daunting themes - prove how the combo had reached a compositional maturity never again found to this day. The only downside - besides the horrible cover - remains the pathetic and childish anti-Christian lyrics ("...satans force rains from the throne to slay the priest of lies..." "...satans awaiting to regain the crown return it to hell's dark domain...") which wouldn't even make a baby lost in the Black Forest shudder.

"The Force" is a marble block that cannot be scratched. You will find yourself falling into an infernal pit of headbanging with no way out, realizing only at the end of the impetuous "Thrash 'Till The Death" that you have a slight pain in your cervical vertebrae that will affect listening for 4/5 days. After which, you won't be able to do without it anymore.

The ultimate album from Onslaught. Essential for any self-respecting thrasher.