DREAMSFEAR
"Prelude To Destiny"
Monument Music / Ill - Omen
rating: an album of the issue
Those of you who're familiar with my music tastes, already know that in most cases I can't stand thrash metal, but sometimes you just can't expect what you'll get high on. Fortunately Ireland's (!) DREAMSFEAR appears as an exception for the rule… and this is not 100% thrash metal in your face, y'know. More likely a brilliant mixture of thrash and power metal, bearing a slight resemblance of early works by METALLICA (f.ex. "Ride The Lightning") as well as "The Gathering", the latest CD by TESTAMENT. Structurally, the music delivered by DREAMSFEAR is rather simple, but isn't simplicity a synonym for the genius? The song structures were very well thoughtout, therefore, thanks to this guys' compositional talent, we get truly astounding piece - it doesn't bore you nor lull you to sleep despite that all the tunes off "Prelude To Destiny" are rather lengthy (up to eight minutes). Check out opening "Ruins" as well as tremendous, ballad-alike "Burning Bridges" (where Rob reveals that he can be a really good singer) - these ones won't leave you cold. I'd definitely interview this band in the nearest future…
Website: http://members.tripod.com/~dreamsfear/index.html
Email: dreamsfear@hotmail.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

KOMA
"Criminal"
Locomotive Music
rating: 3 of 6
Spain's KOMA deliver undoubtedly weird mixture. Firstly I confused it with thrash, however heavy metal joined the scenario later on… as well as numerous elements borrowed from a huge variety of metal genres. Well, I confess, this is professionally crafted effort, that's for sure - but "Criminal" leaves me completely indifferent to it's contents anyway. Sorry guys. Maybe next time. (Herr Stalhammar)

MALINTENT
"The Second Coming"
Abyss Records
rating: 4,5 of 6
This one turned out as a pretty intriguing piece. Even though I pushed the stop button right after the first song was over, thinking it's some fucking regular hardcore crap, it undoubtedly deserves a good mark. Actually, I started to like it after a couple of songs were over (and this CD is really far from being a short one). As a matter of fact, musically, "The Second Coming" is almost indescribable due to the great variety of diverse styles and genres put together, in one and only melting pot. There's hardcore, there's industrial, there's incredibly exciting fusion, whilst thrash metal appears as the principal basis. The singer is the one you'd consider annoying during the first listen, however believe me, he fits this kind of music perfectly. Generally speaking, musically this is VERY varied effort, and surprisingly it's far from being incomprehensible or whatever alike. If you wanna try something different, pick this one up.
Email: AbyssR@erols.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

MERENDINE ATOMICHE
"The Holy Metal"
self-released
rating: 5 of 6
Holy metal? Hmm, I just hope these chaps don't have anything to do with christianity… Nevertheless, "The Holy Metal" appears as an astounding piece of thrash metal (too much worthy thrash metal works this time, don't you think?), and fortunately it's not your regular retro-thrash crap. These guys managed to come up with undoubtedly stunning effort, diversified and enough original, with few influences borrowed from death metal as well as hardcore. Luca (the singer) has a wide singing range, varying his voice from typical thrashy shouting vocals, passing through DM grunts, to rather enjoyable "clean" voice. As a matter of fact, musically and atmospherically, "The Holy Metal" is no less impressive (I just wonder why did they have to use drummachine?!). Definitely a CD to be listened to.
Email: demonheart@libero.it
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

MONUMENT
"The Millennial Death Of God"
self-released
rating: 5 of 6
I've never been into thrash metal, however, judging by the marks TM acts get this time, I somehow changed my opinion on this genre. MONUMENT come from US, and, honestly speaking, firstly I considered 'em a death metal act, at least when it comes to musical canvas. Mostly fast-paced and doubtlessly brutal, you see. And there came vocals. Firstly, you'd definitely consider 'em irritating, but later you suddenly realize that Kirk is a good singer, and moreover - his voice fits this sort of music perfectly. In general, I consider this CD an excellent piece of modern thrash metal, comparable to NEVERMORE and others of that kind. Check it out. NOW.
Website: www.monumetal.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

MORTIFIER
"If Tomorrow Comes"
Valiant Music Productions
rating: 5,5 of 6
Honestly speaking, I thought this one would be a complete disaster. Fortunately, it is not. If I'm not mistaken, it was the year of 1994, when I first heard of this band, therefore MORTIFIER are no neophytes - actually it becomes obvious once you've given this CD a listen. Stylistically reckoned to the genre of thrash metal, these guys aren't feared of incorporating "alien" elements borrowed from other styles and genres, such as death metal for example. Each song is a little jewel, incredibly well structured and stunningly performed. Once again, FORTUNATELY, we have a good singer here, balancing between shouting and screaming voice, his vocals still sound astounding. He sings, you see. And does it really matter in what kind of tonality does he do it? I guess not. When it comes to comparisons, SEPULTURA's "Arise" popped in my mind at once, even though MORTIFIER definitely have something of their own. An excellent piece (I guess you won't ever attempt to dispute this assertion, once you give a listen to "I'm Your Fear", ballad-alike "Don't Say Never", as well as RUNNING WILD's spectacular "Realms Of Shades"), the one to be purchased NOW.
Website: http://www.valiantmusic.ru
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

REDOX
"Forgotten Nature"
Voliac Rock Productions
rating: 2 of 6
A thrash metal band from Andorra??? Whew, kinda surprise. I'd prefer to give a listen to Andorra's black metal act, though; since this one's pretty worthless. Yes, it is thrash metal, skillfully structured and composed, coming with an undoubtedly splendid sound execution, but still appearing as a synonym for the notion of "boredom", whilst vocals simply make me sick. REDOX could be a good band, if they'd come up with a more sincere and atmospheric piece of work, that's for sure. And please, DO replace the singer NOW. (Herr Stalhammar)

RITUAL CARNAGE
"Every Nerve Alive"
Osmose Productions
rating: 5 of 6
I always hated this retro-thrash disaster, and Osmose Productions were among the first ones to spread this bullshit in the shape of music. However, it seems like things getting better, and while INFERNO rots in their self-conceived stinking hell, we pleasurely listen to the second offering from these Japanese chaps. Well, if I confused the first album with black metal, let me beg your pardon, because excellent thrash metal is what we have here. It doesn't have anything to do with noisy yelling spread by IMPERIAL, AURA NOIR and alike non-entities, being top-class thrash, executed in a tremendous way, and what's even more important - distinguishable and original. These guys don't limit themselves within the bounds of one particular style, incorporating "clean" vocals and other elements, frequently surprising the listener. Fortunately, in a positive way. (Herr Stalhammar)