Then Came the Killing

Then Came the Killing is an exhibit of everything reliable and satisfying in thrash metal. There is nothing particularly extraordinary here, but neither can any of the tracks be faulted.

Each track is brimming with chugging riffs, puncuated with nice leads and some Vio-Lence style chorus shouts from time to time. It is certainly interesting to hear this sound coming out of Sweden, as the band would easily merge seamlessly into the swathe of American thrash bands who pursued polished, catchy thrash metal. Perhaps this is the band's weak point - it would be hard to pinpoint anything exceptional about their sound.

The album was released in 1990, but shows no sign of relenting to other influences - this is pure, 100% thrash metal, and will quench your thirst for track after track of bludgeoning drums and guitars. However, I found that it got slightly too predictable and monotous towards the last few tracks; every song being delivered on a near identical blueprint leaves the listener craving some other directions which Mezzrow stubbornly refuse to explore.

The production is beefy and brutal, and as a no compromise chugging thrash album, Then Came The Killing achieves its purpose with ease. However, don't expect any departure from the typical American-style polished thrash blueprint. Enjoyable for the duration, but not one to come back to again and again.