Thrashback

When you are informed that your favorite thrashers are reunited in their original line-up (the legendary "Three Tonys") and that five of their comeback songs are written back in 1985(!) you expect the album to be simply breathtaking. And it really is! Nostalgia hits with a vengeance the sensations of the listener as the riffing dives into the glorious hellhole of mid '80s mind-blowing era.


What is evident in this album is that Whiplash never lost it through the years although there are some points in their evolution strike as awkward. For example, the drumming at some points seems repetitive with a drum machine precision, and then there is the vocal thing. Tony Portaro's voice has lost that distinctive rawness that sent chills up my (and everyone else's) spine and to my dreadful ears I could clearly hear at some points a Mustaine-ish and elsewhere a Hetfield-ish tone! The lad must be cursed!
One cannot expect someone to sound the same after 15 years (I did) but Portaro's improved larynx took something away from the legendary Whiplash thrashing (and some points down in this review). Don't get me wrong, Thrashback still manages to deliver what a hardcore thrasher is seeking. HEAD BANGING! Some of the lyrics in the old songs have been re-written but the lyrical themes remain socially and/or politically influenced.


To the songs:
"King with the Axe" is the best song in this album coming from the "Thunderstruck" demo and climbing on top of the list for thrash masterpieces. Majestic intro, which gives way to a guitar riff that, will haunt you until your dying days and the vocals here are what could be described as "menacing". "He's coming at you...Full force...The Kiiing with the AXE".
"Thrash 'Til Death"! Well, is there something to add? A two minute and thirty six seconds of mayhem and I dare you to stand still while listening to this song.
"Nails In Me Deep" is actually "Chained Up, Strapped Down" from the Thunderstruck demo and has the solo of the album and solid rhythmic work.
"Stab" classic Whiplash equals agonizing rhythm, constant pounding and here is the vocal thing I was telling you about.
"Killing on Monroe Street" is where you can have a taste of Scaglione's superb drumming and find out why Slayer picked him up for their tour the first time Lobardo left the band. He was only 18 as he says in an interview.
"This" has a slow tempo and to my ears, the guitar has a strange "stoner" aesthetic with the occasional thrashing stabs in the background. Strange but everyone can use the intermission.
"Memory Serves", "Resurrection Chair" and "House with no doors" are the rest of neck breaking songs that might be outstanding in any other album but here are simply original thrashers.
"Strike Me Blind". Portaro once said that he never cared about singing, his passion is the guitar and he had to sing when they started out and could not find someone to sing the songs as they were in his mind. Here he has 2:25 minutes to let off steam without the burden of vocals.


You should have this album along with "Ticket To Mayhem" and "Power and Pain". R.I.P. Tony B.