Outbreak of Evil

Here we are, in the very deep underground of the 80s thrash metal scene, where the bands are all left unheard of for the most part. This is pretty unfortunate since a lot of them are actually pretty good, and some times even better than some more known bands around. Well, in Germany, speed or thrash bands like Vectom, Necronomicon, Deathrow or Vendetta are not very well known, but Metal Storm however, is probably known by very little amount of thrashers. In fact, the information available about these guys are very few as well. All we know about Metal Storm is that they come from the depths of the 80s German thrash scene and released one single full-length record on a low budget label. I came across this band while searching for other bands that released an album during that period of time, I was quite surprised to have been able to listen to this album to be quite honest since its availability is quite limited.

At first look, the cover art of the album is quite, let's say, bad at best, but their band logo is a bit better thought at least. The album is titled "Outbreak of Evil" and was released some time in 1987. I always wondered if they took that name from the Sodom track, but we will never know that anyway. That album features eight tracks and has a running time of 35 minutes, which is quite the average for such album I guess. The guys of Metal Storm actually tried to pay tribute to their favorite music by doing this record, at least it is how I saw it after hearing their album. Of course, the music doesn't sound quite like Kreator, Sodom or Destruction, but I am still getting the German vibe to it. The production is typical for a low budget 80s thrash record, it sounds primitive, but still very listenable as the instruments mix is pretty well-done. One thing I really liked is how the bass sound, very loud and intense, even louder than the guitars at times even if they sound great as well. The drums are not outstanding by any means, but they are doing the job pretty damn well whatsoever. However, the vocals are interesting because of the noticeable German accent compared to some other band's singers, the performance are not wonderful, but still good and fits the thrash genre.

Despite being overall a thrash metal record, there are some variations through the tracks, like the not so nice ballad "Hiroshima", it's not a really bad song, but it does not belong in such album, to me at least. A noticeable melodic approach can be heard in track like "Soldiers of the Nite" and a classic heavy metal vibe in "Paranoid". The guitar solos are quite funny some times and does not sound very worked, they feel more like a filler in the tracks. The highlights of this album is the self-titled "Outbreak of Evil", which starts with a sound of a bell before turning into a thrash metal attack and the aggressive "Burnin' Metal" that has a nice fast-paced main guitar riff and a catchy chorus. Speaking of fast-paced riffs, the speed metal influenced track "Sometimes a Barkin' Dog May Bite" definitely delivers in that case, even if I wonder what the hell they took inspiration from for that track name. Obviously, the lyrics of the album cannot be found, but I think it's fair to say that the main lyrical subject is the WWII. Those claims are based on what I understood while listening to the album and I think they wrote in historical point of view too.

To sums it up, it was a good discovery for me since it's my favorite metal genre, but it's not an essential record and I can understand why it was forgotten. However, for people that like the genre and want to go deeper in their search of bands, this is a recommendation of mine for sure as it's still a cool album to listen to at times, when you are getting tired of the typical stuff for instance.

Best tracks:

Burnin' Metal
Outbreak of Evil
Sometimes a Barkin' Dog May Bite
Suicide Commando

Mystery surrounds a lot of German thrash metal band Metal Storm. Formed sometime in the mid 80's and having released only one full length in 1987 with very little information about the whereabouts and members of this group, it's safe to say these boys were some fans trying to create some simple thrash metal. Outbreak of Evil is barely over a half hour of ripping speedy thrash metal, played tight and consistent with very little variation but staying true to the early traditional roots without compromising any form of suckage.

Outbreak of Evil consists of some traditionally influenced metal riffs, plenty of melody and a shitload of cool sing alongs. Burnin' Metal is a stereotypical 80's thrash anthem that makes you chant along and pump your fist. As well as a stereotypical ripping opener, the title track slays the foe right off the bat. A lot of Judas Priest influence can be shown with the speed metal aspects of Outbreak of Evil, as shown on Suicide Commando's killer ending, fucking melodic shredding and insanity, notes flying everywhere, kittens dying left and right. Traditional metal is a prime influence here, think your Judas Priest, Anvil, and Accept, with ballsy riffing and a total old school vibe. Vocals here are prime 80's, attitude driven and powerful at most, keeping a level of intensity as it should with decent highs. Bass guitar highly prominent as it should, taking a certain level of early Metallica mixed with some Iron Maiden rhythmic duties, total badass.

It's quite simple to say that the highlight of Metal Storm's debut is the guitars, melody and speed blending quite nicely; something you see with Riot's Thundersteel and Judas Priest's Painkiller. The solos and leads are insanely fun and catchy, with plenty of melodic shredding to keep a thrasher entertained. The drawbacks here are few, but somehow kicking it off balance. Some songs here are completely filler with little appeal other than just being by the numbers and easy songs. Songs like Paranoid and 4. Reich have not too much appeal, with the former being a plodding mid tempo song with a decent chorus. Fortunately the ridiculously cool guitar leads save the day. Hiroshima is Metal Storm's attempt at diversity and variation, the only attempt, with a slow clean build up and some fairly bad crooning vocals. Overall this is just a terrible song and a poor way to end off Outbreak of Evil, a lame attempt at a thrash ballad.

Either way you look at it, Metal Storm never hit the big leagues in the German scene, maybe it was the flowing tide of the music scene or possibly the lack of motivation to hit it big, but their single release is a solid outing of traditionally influenced speed and thrash metal. It's quite simplistic in nature, but makes up with plenty of fun moments and cool guitar parts, if you are a fan of thrash metal in the least you will certainly find enjoyable moments, but don't expect something amazing.