Artist: Hellish Crossfire
Title: Bloodrust Scythe
Type: Album
Label: I Hate Records

These Germans have been releasing some quality tunes in recent times, now on full-length album number two; they thrash it out with the best of them. Although my thoughts tend to give them more of a classic speed metal influence such as those great Canadians Razor and fellow countrymen Iron Angel (their band name coincides with a stunning IA album too) and even some Deathrow. Vocalist Iron Tyrant (Thomas Werner) does sound a lot like Razor’s Bob Reid, and blasting out tunes with these influences and a little bit of German flair gives tunes like ‘Night of the Possessed’ and ‘Orgasmic Rush’ have something of a future classic album feel. Whilst the artwork is very much old school, in fact the third album this month I have had that had a Reaper theme attached to it, there is little doubt that your getting a good slice of metal, none of this emo and metalcore rubbish.

Raw readiness like 1986 is a feature right through this release, and whilst I still think there is much influence of that Canadian band I mentioned earlier, Hellish Crossfire go for some epic tunes, take ‘Into the Old and Evil’ that also takes in some Sodom thoughts and emotions with an element of NWOBHM riffage like early ‘Maiden. ‘Speed Hunter’ just goes for it hell for leather, a fast a furious homage to the bullet belt wielding, denim and leather clad classic metal fan. Full of life, full vitality, and this album keeps you interested through its duration; I have not found one track that is below par, sometimes I feel the drums don’t keep up with the music like on ‘At the Edge of Total Chaos’ some might not note this, and in any case who cares, the band manage to add some evil black metal influences in this one too! Some may say it’s not that original, but to me it’s a stunning take on a classic genre and a welcomed addition to my collection.

http://www.myspace.com/hellishcrossfirethrash
http://www.ihate.se

Paul Maddison

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