Review Summary: Thank you, Atari85, for putting me onto this absolute gem of an album
2 of 3 thought this review was well written10 tracks of sheer madness. Those are the only words that can truly sum up and capture the intensity of Italian thrash revival act Alkoholizer's only studio album to date, Drunk Or Dead, an underground release put out in 2009. This is an album that would not feel out of place in the thrash heyday of the 1980's, being utter madness, but completely honed and refined to the point where it tops many of its 1980's comrades.
Sound-wise, this album is very Exodus sounding, with hints of Testament and Sodom thrown in here and there. The album reminds me somewhat of a slightly less aggressive Bonded By Blood, combining bludgeoning, well written riffs with speedy drumming and a vocalist whose shrieks really could take the listener's face off. Right from the first proper track, Pay With Your Blood, the listener knows exactly what they are in for-a throw back to the thrash metal peak. Hell, this song even has a song called Thrash Metal-what more could the listener ask for?
The intro riff to track 5, Alcoholic Metal, may well be one of the speediest on the album, being played with speed that would blister the fingers. However, this does not sound all pressed together like many fast thrash riffs do. In fact, this stands out as one of the finest riffs found on the album, and creates a truly mean sound. Also, this song contains some rather amazing high pitched shrieks, that somewhat reminds me of a less demented version of Tom Araya, and feels right at home on this release.
The soloing throughout this release is absolute top notch, and really is played to perfection, being extremely brutal, whilst not going overkill in the vein of Kerry King. Sick Orthopedic and Sardinian Beer are some of the better solos found on this album, and really are nicely written, and give the album yet another credit to its name. By this point, it becomes clear that the album is the triumphant revival thrash album, topping the most recent albums by its 1980's contempories by some long way.
The introduction to Kill Without Remorse is utterly perfect, in ways that would even have the title track to Kreator's Coma Of Souls quivering in fear. Every riff flows into the next one, and the drumming is sheer awesome beyond belief. Literally, it should be impossible for any modern thrash band to possess this amount of talent, but somehow Alkoholizer really do have a lot of skill on their instruments and the ability to turn this skill into 9 full on masterpiece songs, as well as an intro track that somehow fits the nature of the album perfectly.
The only hint of a mishap that can be found on this album is that it almost seems to rip off some of the 1980's bands slightly too hard. That signature edge that Sodom had is there on every song, with a little Tankard thrown in, and a sound that is extremely similar to that of Exodus. However, this is not too bad, as it shows that they at least knew who the kings of the thrash scene were.
This album is, quite frankly, one of the best thrash albums i have heard in a long time. This tops each and every pretender to the modern thrash throne, with every song being perfectly written, and completely aggressive. The vocalist is absolutely maniacal, the solos are brilliant, the riffs are frantic, and the bass work is top notch. This is how thrash metal should be made. 4/5
