When I think about Death / Thrash, my mind gravitates towards the same albums every time: “Beneath The Remains”, “Tapping The Vein”, “The Ultimate Incantation” etc. There seems to be a certain unknown aspect of those albums that has hooked countless fans, new and old, to them. And I think that aspect has not been present in a lot of Death / Thrash albums that I have heard in the last 10 or so years, with a few exceptions. Well, today I am adding “Mountains Of Madness” to that list in absolute confidence. This is the fourth album from Swiss outfit TOTAL ANNIHILATION and another first class release from Germany’s premier label Testimony Records. Shame on me, since it is the first time they have appeared on my radar and now I find myself digging through their back catalogue frantically. Vocalist Daniel Altwegg has been the only member to appear in all their releases through their 20 year career. Personally, I think that this particular mix of subgenres (Death and Thrash Metal) has always been a hit or miss. Why? Because there are a lot of different aspects from both styles that may or may not work together. The good news here is that TOTAL ANNIHILATION has done it right. Through all the line-up changes, the band has evolved musically (new blood always brings changes) in every way. They have managed to keep a constant, hard hitting and original style. That hook that I mentioned above is ever present in “Mountains Of Madness” consisting of catchy riffs, good vocal phrasing and top notch musicianship. Along with vocalist Daniel bringing in some great vocals, like a mix between Steve Reynolds and Tom Angelripper, guitarist Nicolas Stelz churns out a fantastic array of catchy yet brutal riffs and memorable leads. Then there is drummer Michael Lautenschläger, providing a solid rhythm backbone with his accurate use of double kicks and interesting drum fills. I also like how his drumming is both vicious and grooby at the same time. Performance wise, this album rips from top to bottom. It’s 2026. Production values and standards have changed a lot for the better in most cases. And “Mountains Of Madness” proves that bands can have a ferocious yet clear sounding album. The mix is balanced and it places the instruments exactly where they don’t clash in the spectrum or in between them. The vocals are a tad pushed back, which, for me, is reminiscent of the aforementioned classic albums. The drums sound organic and punchy. I am guessing they used a tad of samples in there just to maintain the aggressiveness. The guitar tone is razor sharp, with the bass keeping things tight at the core. I think the master is somewhat bricked, but luckily the dynamics are still there, so I went through the whole album with no ear fatigue at all. Overall, TOTAL ANNIHILATION’s “Mountains Of Madness” is brutal, precise and catchy. Just some of the best Death / Thrash I’ve listened to recently, this album could be a part of my best of 2026 list already. I have given it three spins in a row and I am still amazed by it. I am pretty sure this one is a must for any self-respected fan of Extreme Metal out there. Support the band here: www.facebook.com/total.annihilation.thrash. And go get this album from their label here: www.facebook.com/testimonyrecords