Review Summary: One of the most frighteningly powerful metal albums in existence, Finished With The Dogs is extreme thrash perfection.
While it's easy to name some extreme thrash classics-Darkness Descends, Epidemic Of Violence, Pleasure To Kill, Reign In Blood, Chemical Exposure, among others-it's unlikely that you've either heard of Finished With The Dogs or listened to it. Which is too bad, because in it's own right it's one of the most frighteningly powerful thrash metal albums in existence, and one that easily deserves a place among the well known thrash classics.
Probably the most notable thing about the album instrumentally is vocalist Sabina Classen, one of the few female vocalists in thrash. Don't expect clean vocals though, as she gives one of the most powerful and almost scary vocal performances one can find in thrash, with a mixture of terrifying screams and shouts that make her among the best thrash vocalists. However, her sheer power may turn away some listeners, sadly. Guitarist Andy Classen provides some extremely fast riffs but can also tone down his speed to deliver crushing slow ones, as well as execute more technical lines. Bassist Ramon Brussler more or less follows the guitar work of Andy but performs some of his own lines as well, and drummer Uli Kusch (future drummer for
Helloween) delivers a stellar performance, easily sailing through double bass and providing some nice fills, as well as managing some crushing and slower sections.
The album immediately opens with the violent title track, with seems to vary between two paces, fast and excessively fast, instantly opening the album at close-to-full power. The following track,
Current Of Death, only increases the insane power, opening at breakneck speed with one of the albums most violent riffs, before slowing down to a grinding pace prior to the solo.
In The Slaughterhouse doesn't waste any time flying into violently powerful riffs and provides some of the albums catchier riffs, all at breakneck pace.
The album isn't adverse to slowing down though, as
Fortress Of Desperation demonstrates some of the albums most eerie tones and catchiest riffs as it slows down a fair bit throughout.
Six Fat Women may have a silly title but possesses one of the more memorable riffs of the album, before leading into another more mid paced track,
Corroded Dreams, which provides some of the albums best riffs before exploding into its verse with Sabina's vocals launching it into full speed.
Rest In Pain slows down the pace a fair bit, before exploding into some frighteningly powerful riffs. Closer
Military Service opens in a surprisingly catchy fashion, before entering some more powerful riffs.
What's best about this album is that it has pretty much no weak tracks on it. The only fading point is
Criminal Assault, but it is still a great thrash track. The production is spot on too, with every instrument having breathing space and clarity. Overall, Finished With The Dogs is exceptional and is one of the best extreme thrash albums in existence.
Recommended Tracks:
Current Of Death
Finished With the Dogs
Corroded Dreams
Fortress Of Desperation
