If a band chooses as moniker the title of a known, classic record, it means, or it can mean, that the members are enthusing to that kind of music, they are fans of that music. That’s the case with this young Swedish outfit too. They were formed in 2008. Prior to this record, they released two demos in 2009. I think, Sweden was never famous of its Thrash scene, but it has to appreciate, that some bands have left their mark on the scene, I think of bands such as MERCILESS, AGONY or MEZZROW. With the beginning of the new millennium a kind of Thrash wave has developed in Sweden, with the likes of OPPRESSION, CAUSTIC STRIKE, HAZARD, CORRUPT, ELECTRICUTION, ENTRENCHED etc., that are working (or worked) in the vein of the old classics, such as SLAYER, TESTAMENT, DESTRUCTION, KREATOR etc. On the base of this record I can squarely tell, that RAGING STEEL is a very talented band. After the intro, ‘Infernal Horror’ is a very raw, a little bit Death Metal influenced track and presents what this band and this record is all about. The track is very reminiscent of early KREATOR and MERCILESS, that are the keywords for the album. Non stop fast, energic, brutal riffing, exact, tight rhythms, good musicianship. Dangerous Dan’s harsh voice, fits to the music well, a little bit suggests Stefan Eberlein’s (EXCORIATE – R.I.P.) performance, so it could be said, that his voice is Death Metal influenced, but I wouldn’t name it growling. Because these Swedish guys have chosen a classic album title of a German band (DEATHROW), the German influences are undeniable. ‘Dreadly Intensions’ reminds of KREATOR’s legendary ‘Total Death’, the opening riffs of the title track are also reminiscent of early KREATOR and ‘Marked For Murder’ refers to early DESTRUCTION. Not only German Thrash, but also American stands close to their hearts too, since the changes of ‘Homicidal Death’ are SLAYERish, while the beginning of ‘Evil Of Our Minds’ is similar to METALLICA’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’. I have to mention that the very good solos of Dangerous Dan and Desecrator Dave entirely satisfy the demands of all Thrash fans and the rhythm section, consisting of bassist Braindead and drummer Murder Vitja do a good job as well. The record hasn’t an overpolished, modern sound, but an old school, raw one. I think, if the goal of these guys wasn’t making an original album, but paying tribute to their influences / heroes, they did it well. In my opinion this is an excellent debut written in the vein of the ’80s, that I recommend to every Thrash fan. www.myspace.com/ragingsteelswe, www.myspace.com/reinigrecords