Warbringer
War Without End

"THE NEW AGE OF THRASH HAS BEGUN... PREPARE FOR COMBAT SHOCK!"

This is how Warbringer, 5 very young thrashers from California, introduce themselves. They are part of the so-called "thrash revival" along with Violator and Municipal Waste (among the most famous). After the EP "One By One, The Wicked Fall," they were signed by Century Media and this is their 2008 debut. To present themselves better, they used a beautiful artwork reminiscent of the '80s, a well-crafted booklet, and above all, an excellent production by Bill Metoyer, the legendary producer of D.R.I.'s "Thrash Zone" and Sacred Reich's "Surf Nicaragua."

Now, let's get to the facts. How are Warbringer?

Very good for their young age. Sure, originality is almost nonexistent, the lyrics are embarrassingly monotonous (war, war, and war, as if it were a concept album) and there are also youthful mistakes (the sung bridge of "Systematic Genocide" is IDENTICAL to the final verse of "Combat Shock"), but they will have plenty of room to improve. As for inspiration, the German triad (Sodom, Kreator, and Destruction) and Slayer must especially be remembered, not to mention Metallica, to whom they even dedicated the title.

Who cares about originality, having fun is what matters, they must have thought. And these guys hit the target. Come on, who doesn’t get excited listening to "Combat Shock" or "Total War"? How can you stay still in the "Moshpart" (a term coined by S.O.D.) of "Beneath The Waves"? Who doesn't scream at the top of their lungs the chorus of the bonus track "Nightslasher"? Surely not all songs hit the mark ("Hell On Earth" is too chaotic and "Born Of The Ruins" lacks a good chorus), but without a doubt, the result is excellent for a debut.

Finally, appreciate the attempt to make themselves different from traditional thrash: if the drums and solos are typical of the genre, the voice is screamed and violent as in metalcore. A small thing, but it gives a touch of modernity to the group.

Definitely a band to keep an eye on and to support, which I especially recommend to thrash fans, but also to metal lovers in general.

Best songs: Combat Shock, Beneath The Waves, Total War

Skip songs: Hell On Earth, Born Of The Ruins

P.S.: This is my first review, so I ask you to highlight my mistakes. Thank you.