Aggressive Extermination

Axecutor from Bulgaria is not an old band which was well hidden for decades behind the iron curtain, but its musical style indicates a strong preference for the sound of the golden eighties. Yes, I am in a nostalgic mood when I hear newcomers playing this kind of thrash metal. But the energy of this tightly playing unit will infect a lot of thrash maniacs, regardless of their age. Well, I have seen that their first output is titled with "Speed Metal Assault", but I think that this "Aggressive Extermination" rather offers a thrashing attack. High-pitched screams, for example, do not show up. Instead, the voice sounds raw and dark. However, to discuss the question "thrash or speed?" is mostly an academic exercise. This EP sounds like Kreator (if we imagine that Mille would still be the leader of a band and not of an industrialized music company.) With that said, one thing is for sure. Axecutor do not follow commercial considerations. These guys seem to be fans of their own style and this fact lends them a high degree of integrity.

The first and the last song of this slightly dull yet acceptably produced six-pack cannot be compared with the other tunes. "Guillotine" is just an intro, but a good one, because it is dominated by sharp guitars, not by stupid technical or "atmospheric" gimmicks. The closer "Black Rock 'n' Roll", a cover song, falls flat due to its slack pace, the non-dynamic riffing and the pretty boring chorus. The dudes would have been well advised to trust in their own strength. But this remains a side note. Axecutor's self-written, regular material stands in the focus of this output - and it is definitely strong. This is not only stuff for obsessive collectors in terms of East European metal, but music that preponderantly meets the international standards.

The five musicians have designed vibrant, sometimes nearly elastic riffs and the restless guitar work motivates the drummer to a good performance. The mainly swift tracks convince with straight, but not boring patterns and "Tormentor" (another reference to early Kreator?) seems to be a long forgotten jewel from the wild days of the German thrash explosion. "It's time to raise the flag of hate!" Of course, Mille, of course, but now go to bed again....I apologize for the short break!

Now back on the real subject. The old vibes develop their fascinating force and give the effort an almost archaic appearance. "Circle of Destruction" cannot compete in terms of velocity, but the predominantly mid-paced number impresses with well-defined riffing and a strong chorus. Indeed, the sharp guitars form an intensive piece, although high speed parts are missing. But the following track also satisfies the disciples of merciless velocity and its abrasive guitars uncover that the Bulgarians are very familiar with the raw works of the thrash genre's pioneering days. In a nutshell, each and every of these four songs gives the lie to all those people who think that metal needs new modes of expression. I am no enemy of more progressive or innovative approaches, but I appreciate the tried and tested formula very much. Without having released a milestone, the competent guys of Axecutor seem to share my opinion.