Album Rating: 5.0
Im not exactly a thrash authority but, i`ve heard my fair share of thrash and let me tell you this sticks like a sore thumb. Some reasons:
-Fresh, original riffs, even 20 years after its incepttion. What thrash band can claim this, with an album made in the 90`s? Even so called ``classics`` arent this memorable.
-TREMENDOUS vocal range. Seriously, the dude just DOESNT miss his growls, grunts, highs and talked vocals. NEVER EVER he gets out of range. And his russian accent just makes them even more interesting, given that its a scene that never took off in a global scale.
-Musicianship that just rapes. These dudes not only know to play their instruments, they also do it in a highly disciplined way, knowing when to introduce each riff, fill, lead, etc. Highly elevated songwriting skills right there.
-The production. While the remaster has a faster/higher pitch, only the vocals and some small passages are really affected on the long run. And the og mastering is just so rich and intense, uff. Remastering also kills 90% of today`s metal mixes. Also they have that semi-sinister atmosphere really captured SPOT ON. Not too excessive (like, OMG we`re satan), but also FAR from tame / childish.
-Diversity. Thrash is know for getting stale REALLY quick, but these guys just dont throw a bunch of songs at you, there`s so much variety on them that you wont believe this was THRASH on the 90`s. Also combines the rights amount of pure headbanging fun with tech / progressive elements, never letting one overtake the other..
Personally, these are my reasons, besides the fact i have a LOT OF FUN jamming this, what, in turn make me jam this DAILY. I just dont see, besides the mastering differences, how this fall (IMO, again) short of perfect.
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