HELLBRINGER
Hellbringer
(Iron Pegasus Records)
32:14min

HELLBRINGER are yet another black-tinged Thrash act in the vein of CRUEL FORCE and DEATHAMMER. It seems these kind of VENOM influenced retro-Thrash acts have been popping up everywhere for the last couple years. As I hit play on their self titled album and heard the introductory evil laughter, I was hoping for something as adrenaline charged and triumphantly evil as CRUEL FORCE’s The Rise Of Satanic Might. But, as it pains me to report, HELLBRINGER just do not deliver. This is a pretty monotonous release, consisting of literally nothing but palm muted tremolo picking and homogeneous power chord riffs, punctuated by the occasional generic solo. I’ve listened to this twice and I’m still having a hard time recalling any especially memorable moments present on Hellbringer. As mentioned above, the guitar basically just plays Thrash stereotypes. The vocals are a fairly standard Thrash bark, though there are some high shrieks that sound exactly like Schmier of DESTRUCTION (think “Curse The Gods”). As for the rhythm section, and the bass is a vague presence at the back of the music, except for a couple brief segments on the album where the guitar drops out and entirely. The drums keep the beat but do nothing interesting. HELLBRINGER definitely have their heart in the right place, but need to work on their execution. Overall, I can’t recommend this album to anyone, though perhaps fanatical devotees of Thrash or Black/Thrash will find something of worth here. For everyone else, I’d say go pick up some CRUEL FORCE, DEATHAMMER, MIDNIGHT, or TRENCH HELL. www.myspace.com/hellbringeraus, www.iron-pegasus.com

Sam Osborn

Sam Osborn

HELLBRINGER
Hellbringer
(Iron Pegasus Records)
32:14min
Thraaaassshh!!! Aaaaarrrghh!!! Two words that perfectly describe HELLBRINGER’s killer debut which I really think is a hope for raw ‘80s-style Thrash Metal with skill, real guts and traditional spirit! I think that Thrash Metal is by far the most difficult style of Metal to deliver in the sense that if the band does not have the real spirit then the fan can sense it immediately! Thrash used to be all about dark and aggressive riffs that you can feel! HELLBRINGER from Australia are a fantastic surprise that plays the absolutely traditional old raw style with total dedication and class (you can sense that this is a totally honest band!), no cheap cliché “beer” songs here!!! The band is obviously inspired by raw dark Thrash and bands like SODOM, HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH and even I dare to say MORTAL SIN (“Mayhemic Destruction” in the song ‘Rapture’!) among others. I really cannot believe that it is possible for a true Thrash Metal fiend not to totally worship songs like ‘The Banished’, ‘Screams From The Catacombs’ and ‘The Hammer’ among others, this is a real Thrash Metal overdose, no cheap words here!!! They also deliver a great cover of ‘My Fist Your Face’ by ARMOURED  ANGEL. This is by far the best Thrash Metal newcomer with a big difference (in my book) that easily crushes most posers in the scene!!! And if my words are not credible enough, just check the seal of the Iron Wings in the back-cover! Do you need more in order to get it? www.myspace.com/hellbringeraus, www.iron-pegasus.com
Manolis A.

Manolis A.

Related reviews / interviews:
HELLBRINGER - Awakened From The Abyss (Marco Stebich)
HELLBRINGER - Dominion Of Darkness (Stefan Franke)
HELLBRINGER - Interview (Marco Stebich)

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