On disc: Onslaught

 
 Let There Be Rock (7" single)
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Killing Peace
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Live Damnation
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Sounds Of Violence
 
- Carsten Bahr -
 
 


 
 Sounds Of Violence
 
- Umberto Mino -
 
 

Sounds Of Violence

(AFM Records - 2011)



 
 

 

UK thrash masters Onslaught come out with this new Sounds Of Violence, their second album after the come back release of 2007 Killing Peace, and it seems that the excellence of execution of the eighties is back in these English guys!

Sounds Of Violence has a back-to-80's sound with the power of today, like the time is stopped at those days, but the freshness of the new millennium clean their minds, a full brutal old-school thrash attack straight in our faces. Anyway, let's go to analyze this Sounds Of Violence, and give to Sy Keeler, Nige Rockett, Steve Grice, Jeff Williams and the new member Andy Rosser-Davies honor and respect!!

Sounds Of Violence starts with the usual Into The Abyss (Intro) and the first (real) song is Born For War, delicate like a tank on our face, straight to our ears like a bulldozer!! And this sonic assault will go on and on with the mosh hymn The Sound Of Violence. Code Black is a violent groovy song that is work very well, Rest In Pieces is another violent-fast-thrash manifesto, so let's start the mosh pit!!! Godhead is another groovy, violent song and the following one Hatebox is not exactly the best song of this record. Antitheist is another attack against religion and their ways to manipulate our minds, and final Suicideology give us the same emotions of their old album The Force. The End Of The Storm (outro) close the album.... Hell NO!!!! There's time for a brilliant cover of the Motörhead classic tune Bomber with special guests like Phil Campbell on guitar and (Onkel) Tom Angelripper on vocals!!!

At the end, this is not only a record for nostalgic people or thrash fans, but a record for all the metal maniacs of this world!!!

 
 










Umberto Mino


  
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Sounds Of Violence

(AFM Records - 2011)



 
 

 

The British thrashers Onslaught released Power From Hell and The Force in the mid-80's, both albums reached cult status in the thrash metal scene. The guys were raising heckles for awhile, but never really made it and after the release of In Search Of Sanity they disbanded. 18 years later they reunited and in 2007 they came back with the mighty Killing Peace. The album sounded fresh, the band strong and they showed that they are still up-to-date, even if they play old school thrash metal of the 80's. Live the convinced fans from the early days as much as the younger ones and so proofed that they have the right to exist. And with their new opus they did even better! They stay on the chosen path with Sounds Of Violence and it's like in their heydays. The fat, powerful and crystal clear sound is spot on and gives the guitar solos and infernal riffing the chance to shine. And the catchy melodies of Sounds Of Violence make this album even stronger. The arrangements vary and they swing from fast thrash attacks to up-tempo parts to stomping mid-paced tunes - neckbreaker stuff! They kick off with the intro Into The Abyss and head into Born For War, a fast, aggressive thrasher full of anger. The title track is next in line and offers speed changes and a catchy hook. Code Black is a darker track which is steam rolling everything on its way, then they speed up for Rest in Peace. Godhead is storming off, but also offers slow groove passages á la Pantera plus a long guitar solo part. Hatebox and Antitheist are as entertaining as the other tracks and with the brutal thrasher Suicideology they close this chapter. A short outro follows and as a bonus track you'll get a cover of Motörhead's Bomber.

Onslaught present a very strong album which fans of the latest albums of Exodus, Slayer, Forbidden and Heathen should dig. Thrash Till Death!!!

 
 










Carsten Bahr

(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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Live Damnation

(Candlelight Records - 2009)



 
 

 

After Onslaught came back in 2005 they offered only one studio album - Killing Peace. With Live Polish Assault 2007 they released a DVD and now a live album which was recorded last year at the Damnation festival. Usually there is a limited stage time and so only 8 tracks made it onto the album. With Sy Keeler as a singer they concentrate on the songs he originally sung.

An intro part leads into the title track of their latest studio album Killing Peace. The quintet storms off and it seems that Sy Keeler got even better then on the recordings... Perhaps that's the atmosphere of playing live... Anyway, the start thrashing the place right from the start. One of the highlights is Destroyer Of Worlds! The band is pushing and their power is incredible! Keeler isn't wasting time talking between the songs, simply announces the next track. Between Seeds Of Hate and Demoniac you can hear the audience - and they are loud! Seems like Onslaught and their fans had a good time... A bell and spoken words lead in Power From Hell! And with this classic the British come to an end. And lead out with a short part from The Doors The End. Stage time was limited, but they showed very well what to expect from Onslaught live.

Beside of the running time, there isn't really anything to complain about. One might miss a track, but well that's the way it is. Another one would prefer the guitars more up-front, but that's more a matter of taste. If you are into thrash metal and like Onslaught, then get yourself a copy!



Track list:



Killing Peace

Let There be Death

Destroyer of Worlds

Metal Forces

Seeds of Hate

Demoniac

Burn

Power From Hell

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Killing Peace

(Candlelight Records - 2007)



 
 

 

Some might remember the British trashers Onslaught, last year they reunited and now 17 years after their last release they step back into the spotlight with Killing Peace. They were one of the most important thrash bands from Great Britain and released 3 albums between 1985 and 1989. The returned with the original line-up.... Well, almost.. only singer Sy Keeler wasn't a founding member, but replaced Paul Mahoney in the mid-80's. The line-up changes mainly effected the spot at the microphone and perhaps many might remember best Steve Grimmett, coz was already known through Grim Reaper.

A heavy riff leads into the first song... and it seems that it gets closer... some distorted vocals. A real neck breaker is Burn. The thrashers are walking on the edge of melodic death metal.... Slower parts give the banger a break and makes the song more interesting. The combination of their old thrash roots with modern sounds and the aggressive shouting of Sy Keeler they sound up-to-date. Partly Mr. Keeler remind me of Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth... But only for a brief moment. Destroyer Of Worlds starts with some spoken words - a heavy mid-tempo track with pounding bass and hammering drums, but speeds up soon. Fast double-bass drumming, aggressive guitar riffs and a almost catchy refrain. With Pain they offer everything from heavy grooves to a straight-forward metal attack. Fans of Exodus, Testament, Destruction and Overkill won't be disappointed.

Lyrically they still deal with God, his opponent and hell... Nothing new, but they stick to their guns. And as long as they feel comfortable with it...

Sure, they don't present anything new... But even if they play old-school thrash metal, they sound modern. Their powerful sound and the variety they have in their songs make this album a real treat for thrashers. Everybody who is into their old albums and still listens to thrash metal can buy this without doubt. Others might check out Destroyer Of Worlds, Pain, Burn and Twisted Jesus.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Let There Be Rock (7" single)

(Under One Flag. - 1987)



 
 

 

There are several versions of Onslaught's Let There Be Rock, but here we have the 7" one. With different covers there is also a 12" and a picture disc version as well as different versions from 1989 where Steve Grimmett is the singer. So take a close look when you see one of them!

The track Let There Be Rock every metal fan knows, coz it's an AC/DC classic, this version is a bit faster, but way heavier and Sy Keeler's vocals are more aggressive. Cool version.

Beside the cover version you get 2 live track recorded in summer 1987 at Great Linford Manor. You hear Keeler introducing Metal Forces and even the audience reaction. The sound is quite good... You can understand Sy Keeler well and the sound is powerful, even if a bit dull... But that's more the guitar sound... Not so much during the solo part, but the riffing. Last in line is Power From Hell, a fast neckbreaker. Still drums and guitar sound is a bit dull, but okay. The vocals have a crystal clear sound and dominate the recording. The lead guitar is a bit too far in the back, but well...

Fans of trash metal and of Onslaught should get this one, if they have the chance to and if it's not too expensive. Collectors might find this one at www.musicstack.com or other specialized shops.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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