Fear of Attack

You can really tell by listening to this record that the musicians on it were dedicated to the genre they played. This band has everything I like about thrash/speed metal that 99% of modern thrash bands these days lack. That genuine old school feel that many attempt, but fail miserably. If someone put this on and I knew nothing about Gatekrashor, I would have thought this came out in 1983.

Why do bands like this stand out amongst shit like Warbringer and Evile? Well for one, no bullshit over production/digital recording. For death metal and black metal it sounds fine, but for thrash, it just doesn't seem right. Don't get me wrong, the demos that sound like they've been recorded with a tape recorder aren't my thing either. This record sits nicely between the two extremes; being overproduced and sounding like an early Burzum demo. Analogue recording is the only way to go with speed metal, classic genres require classic recording methods!

As for the riffs and overall songwriting; they make me want to do a number of things; mainly consume a copious amount of alcohol and head band violently. I like the melodic aspect in the riffs that you'd find in your classic Iron Maiden riff, but applied in an ugly speed metal setting. The bass playing is another strength in this album, and like how I can hear it well (like in all Iron Maiden songs). The variety in the songs is a real strength for this release, I like how each song kind of stands out on its own! To top off great riff writing are heaps of well executed alcoholized speed metal shred!

I really enjoy Dan's vocals on this EP. They really remind me of Cronos' voice at some points, but at the same time they have their own unique sound. Dan will also throw in the falsetto screams which he does amazingly. To top that off he's got this demonic laugh that he'll do every so often throughout the album, it fucking kills! You can hear it on tracks like Date With The Devil (Hot In Hades). It's really easy to do thrash vocals like this and just sound generic, but Dan really possesses that speed metal spirit, that many lack!

It's bands like Gatekrashor and Baphomet's Blood that have really resurrected classic thrash/speed metal. The most devoted fans of metal will always put out the truest releases, and these guys have really done their fucking homework! If you're a real old school motherfucker that is sick of the stuff that passes itself off as rebirth of thrash, buy this album on vinyl! Hail to the all true speed metal maniacs who keep music like this alive!