Zerstorer. Not to be confused with Zoroaster (live review up shortly). There aren’t enough band names beginning with the letter Z and for good reason because you’ll make a real twat out of yourself trying to say them after a few pints. On the other hand, it could be handy to arm yourself with them in a game of Scrabble…Anyway, apparently the name is German for ‘destroyer’ and it’s clear there is only one thing on their collective mind. This is the aural equivalent of getting shot at with a rifle, flattened by a military tank, and then finished off with a grenade without a second thought. The field of battle is where it’s at, and no I’m not talking silly Middle-Earthian rubbish but total f***ing war, motherfucker!

From the opening bars this squadron are hell bent on spreading the ‘Metal Terror’ with a Raining Blood-esque riff that gives you a real prod up the backside. Tracks like this one and the following ‘Hatred Rising’ are steeped in chaos with wild, clattering drums and some downright evil riffage that really chops into the mix. As the name suggests, this brings hatred in abundance and is delivered with an ice cold edge. ‘Slaughter Of Divinity’ brings down the pace somewhat, and this has a slow, sinister swagger and that vibe of marching with intent to cause bloodshed against the snow. Marduk certainly springs to mind here, and the tortured screams have genuine depth to them.

‘Life Absorber’ really shows no mercy with some steely guitars that rattle around the battleground ensuring that whatever lives for now will not last for long. This is the same on the thrashed-up ‘Vengeance’ which really sends the bullets flying atop razor-sharp riffs and callous vocals. ‘Total Frost’ has a truly nasty and downright filthy swagger to it; it’s as bleak as a Russian winter landscape and projects a misanthropic vibe. There’s a bit of a groove to this one, with its heavy bass and there’s a note of delectably old-school atavism that can’t be faulted. ‘Shattering Universe’ brings the album to a close very well; with its fierce thudding rhythm and brooding bass it rather feels like the apocalypse is nigh. Sinister buzzsaw riffs scythe pestiferously through the mix creating a total air of menace; like a relentless battalion of demons who will not stop until all is destroyed!

This is a real treat for fans of black-thrashing necro mayhem. It’s fuelled by hatred and takes no prisoners and gives off a really dark and menacing atmosphere throughout. Highly recommended.

http://www.myspace.com/zerstoererpanzermetal
http://www.ashenproductions.net/

Luci Herbert

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