Unite

Well, what can I say. I never heard these recordings till recent when a friend brought them with him and I was expecting a lot after reading who were playing here. Katon, McGovney, Hoglan. I mean, come on! Talk about some famous eighties thrash metal names.

And I do actually like this little demo. But I honestly can really hear why this band never made it. The majority of the songs just isn’t good enough and the leads are beyond bad! Actually there’s only one song here which, objectively speaking, can be considered above average. Closer ‘Depression’ is marvelous! The riffs are superb and vocal lines great. And the song is well structured. If you like old school thrash, this song alone is worth tracking down this demo. All the other songs have plenty of good ideas but each and every one of them is missing something, being either a classic main riff, good vocal melody or a memorable chorus. Openers ‘Pray For Power’ and ‘Blown To Oblivion’ are the best-of-the-rest really. The instrumental ‘Dachau’ is bland and the SSDControl cover Glue rather monotone.

You know, even though this is not an old obscure release I grew up with it immediately had that convincing charm only eighties releases seem to have. No matter if some songs are less good, in these hideous digital days it is so much fun to hear enthusiastic, sloppy, raw and youthful recordings such as these and the energy is oozing from the speakers. Enjoyable!