A logo with bullet belts, a cover with a rabid salivating dog, band members wearing bullet belts, which also frame their photos and songs about drinking is music to my alcoholic ears as I break out a can of Fosters in tribute to this Aussie thrash duo to write a review of their album. They’re onto a good start already I can tell you.
The moment “Hellgrinder” punches you square in the face you’re into a trip down thrash memory lane as Shrapnel epitomise everything about 80s thrash you could ever imagine. The chanted one word choruses give the thickest among us a chance to join in. The bulldozing Venom like bass is crossed with Motörhead speed and dirt, though sound wise this is very Germanic most of the time. “Friday Night Thrash Attack” is as clichéd as thrash gets as the album moves into Tankard and Destruction like realms complete with a Schmier like scream on “Trample The Altar” and a rampaging double bass that is just great and fits perfectly. The bands music is not as nasty as Nifelheim or Diabolic Force but what they lack in aggression is more than made up for in sheer power and infectious tunes that are incredibly addictive. “Hang On The Cross” begins with a blistering high speed lead as the song unleashes an Overkill like melody that is pure bliss as the cymbal smashes signal the riff changes.
The lack of finesse is what makes this such a great listen as “Cynic Horde” is savagely executed before the excellently titled “Six Pack Attack” has some punk traits but careers along relentlessly and is replete with cheesy laughs and yeah yeahs, great stuff. “The Power Is Mine” is the albums longest song at over seven minutes and has a huge Hellhammer swathe flowing through it and even some old dis-core thrown in for added filth. The pace never changes in the song as it is content to just pound your miserable existence into oblivion with riff after riff.
Yes we’ve heard it all before, and yes there are bands in the 80s that did it better but who cares when you’ve got old school authentic powerhouse thrash as good as this. Strap on the bullet belts, break out a can and indulge in some filthy thrash, lovely.
http://www.myspace.com/shrapnelaustralia
