Artist: Minotaur
Title: Power of Darkness
Type: Album
Label: I Hate Records

These German thrashers are recently back from the dead; ‘Power of Darkness’ is their now rare debut album, sometimes finding ridiculously high prices on eBay, but what is actually special about this album? I often find utter rubbish going for high prices simply because it is rare, but to me that does not warrant a high price, more money than sense! But thankfully, this official release from I Hate measures up to all expectations.

Originally recorded in 1987 and released the following year, Minotaur took the original Sodom and Kreator sound and jumped on the bandwagon. The vocals are harsh and rough, the original production raw and bestial (it is termed kvlt now, but in reality it’s cheap poor production). But, there was and is now something about this album and band that made you simply want more. This re-release misses 3 tracks from the previous recording (I guess the No Colours bootleg release?), but gains 4 newly recorded tracks, one of which is a Def Leppard cover from that bands debut album (‘Wasted’). ‘Fierce Fight’ is fast and aggressive, and does sound like a band possessed, as was the style then, ‘Incubus’ follows the same path, but the album title track becomes a classier affair, even if there are bum drum beats through the track. This one features all the traits that made thrash popular, intense riffing, speed, tempo changes and slight melody; this is my stand out tune. This ends the initial release perfectly. But I cannot go without mentioning ‘Maggots in My Body’; it hits to spot, it has a ‘Kill ‘em All’ sound in the opening riff that makes you wonder for just a little while on how similar it really is. Out of the newer recorded tracks that do unfortunately sound like a completely different band; ‘Metal Mayhem’ stands out the most, as does the interesting interpretation of ‘Wasted’.

In general, a much needed re-issue, I would have preferred the sound to be beefed up or remastered a bit in reality compared to the original recording, but as it is, Minotaur are represented well, maybe now they will get their chance to shine and not be engulfed behind the big three of German thrash metal. ‘Power of Darkness’ was and is a thrash classic.

http://www.minotaur-thrashers.de