Alcoholic

Spider Kickers are one of most long-living and important greek death/thrash metal bands, being active since 1986. It needs to be noted, for those not aware of this band, that the drummer is the main vocalist. Something that it is rarely seen and something I, personally, think that is really remarkable!

This album, "Alcoholic", is their fourth full-length release and it represents, probably, their most mature and aggressive piece of work. This album in its entirety features tracks so impactful that you will find yourself holding your breath! Raw vocals that alongside with aggressive old-school guitar riffing and maniacal drumming keep you on the edge of your seat. It consists of 10 tracks, of which, one, "In The Bar" is somewhat of a parody, or rather, a comedic conversation between a drunk guy and a barman and "Alcoholic" which serves as the instrumental outro track for the album. The choice to put "Death Makes No Exceptions" as the first track is truly a genius one, a fast-paced track, but with some mid-tempo parts in which the drums tie amazingly well with the strings while the vocals maintain a dominant role. The best way to start an album! "Are You Dead?" follows and it easily continues in the very same motif by grabbing you by the throat with its mesmerizing refrain. One of the most well-worked tracks of this release, featuring great transitions from mid-tempo to high-tempo parts and exceptional guitar solos. The same technical aggression with the influence of the german school of thrash-Sodom do come in my mind-in the guitar work is being glaringly obvious in the tracks "What is Hell" and "Drunkard" which also pull the fast to mid-tempo transitions off excitingly.

Far the strongest and more impactful track of this full-length, in my opinion, is "Alcoholidays". It features ground-shattering guitar riffs, wonderful vocals, destructive and fast-paced drumming and technical but groovy bass guitar lines.

The overall production maintains the old-school feeling but the professionalism behind it is truly incredible. It suits the music and atmosphere of the band perfectly! Exactly the same does the cover art, it presents a variation of "Iron Maiden"'s Eddie being in a bar and getting in the face of the barman, ready to begin throwing punches at him.

To conclude, "Alcoholic" is one of the best-if not THE best- full-length release of Spider Kickers and it surely won't disappoint the devout lovers of the old-school death/thrash metal.