Thrash Metal Archives

Posted on March 27, 2019October 25, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — 6 Comments

Everything You Wanted To Know About BATHORY “THE RETURN” 1986, But Were Afraid To Ask

How On Guy From Sweeden, Some Lawnmowers, and Poor Production Became A Template For “Real Black Metal” Sound

The Return (of the Darkness and Evil) was the second album by the Swedish black metal “band Bathory”. Bathory was not a “band” in the true sense of the word. Bathory was “the Foo-Fighters of black metal”. Quarton played every instrument, including drums. The Return was released on May 27 1985.

I can remember listening to “The Return”. I was like 13 and still lived with my parents. I was scared I was in the presence of Satan; my Catholic guilt made me hide the album under my bed. The Return later spawned a slew of copycat bands, especially in the Norwegian “true black metal” scene.

Band Photos (Even Though There Was No Real Bnd)

Listen On YouTube

FROM MY PLAYLIST OF METAL BAND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER
THE FULL BATHORY “THE RETURN” LP

“The Return” Album Cover

Tracklist

Side ‘Darkness’

1.”Revelation of Doom (Intro)” -3:27
2.”Total Destruction” – 3:50
3.”Born for Burning” – 5:13
4.”The Wind of Mayhem” – 3:13
5.”Bestial Lust (Bitch)” – 2:41

Side ‘Evil’

1. “Possessed” – 2:42
2. “The Rite of Darkness” – 2:05
3. “Reap of Evil” – 3:28
4.”Son of the Damned” – 2:48
“Sadist (Tormentor)” – 3:00
5.”The Return of the Darkness and Evil” -3:49
5. “Outro” -0:25

quarchon from Bathory — **Quarton from Bathory**

Art Work and Inner Sleeve

Who Was Actually In The Bathory Band

Many people don’t know this, but Bathory was a one-man band. Hence, the lack of live performances over the years. For some odd reason, other musicians credited even though Quarton himself played guitar, bass, drums, and did vocals. It is quite apparent when you listen to that album, as you can hear the tempo-shifting in the drums.

Quorthon (Thomas Börje Forsberg) – guitars, vocals, additional bass guitar, production, recording, mixing, album cover design
Andreas Johansson – bass ??
Stefan Larsson – drums ??

The Bathory Production Sound

This is style of raw production was copied by Bands like Darkthrone, who wanted that “scary” lo-fi in the first 2 Bathory albums. Quarton would later admit that this was not by design. He said the album sounded that because of “lawnmowers passing the studio and a poor budget.”

The Death Of Quarton

Quarton died of a heart attack on June 7th 2004, in Stockholm, Sweden. Although never confirmed, drug use was suspected to be a contributing factor. He was 39 years old.

Posted on March 26, 2019April 29, 2024 by ThrashMetalIQ — 3 Comments

Death – Leprosy LP 1988: Was It The Best Death Album?

Leprosy is the second studio album by Tampa’s Death, released on August 12, 1988 on Combat Records. It is best known for the track “Pull the Plug“, which is about as close to a hit song as a band like death can get. Leprosy was much more progressive than the “Scream Bloody Gore” album. Much of this can be assigned to the engineering work of Scott Burns, who was the go-to thrash metal producer of the time.

The Many Early Death Line-Ups

The only constant thing about Death is a continually changing lineup. Each album has almost an entirely different group of players on it outside of founder Chuck Schuldiner. This album “featured” Terry Butler, who now plays bass, and Obituary but froze up in the studio actually didn’t play on the album. Chuck Schuldiner recorded his bass parts.

Many critics and fans alike consider Leprosy to be Death’s best album. Metal radio stations and even MTV played the song “Pull the Plug” relatively frequently (at least as extreme music goes). By the time the subsequent album “Spiritual Healing” was released, almost the entire band was replaced with a new group of players outside of Chuck Schuldiner,

LeporasyTracklist

“Leprosy” 6:19
“Born Dead” 3:25
“Forgotten Past” 4:33
“Left to Die” 4:35
“Pull the Plug” 4:25
“Open Casket” 4:53
“Primitive Ways” 4:33
“Choke on It” 5:54

Death leprosy line-up:

Chuck Schuldiner – guitar, bass, vocals
Rick Rozz – guitar
Bill Andrews – drums
Terry Butler – credited with bass but did not actually play on the album

Posted on March 26, 2019December 25, 2022 by ThrashMetalIQ — 8 Comments

Metal Massacre 5 1984 Featuring Hellhammer, Voivod, Overkill, Metal Church, Fates Warning

Metal Massacre V 1984 by Metal Blade Records

Metal Massacre V (Metal Massacre 5) came out in 1984. Original Pressing ( MBR 1021) marks the first recordings of Hellhammer, Voivod, Overkill, Metal Church, Fates Warning, Omen, and more.

Metal Massacre Vinyl and Art

Metal Massacre 5 Bands and Tracklist:

SIDE A

“Torture Me” – Omen – 3:26
“Condemned to the Gallows” – Voivod – 5:09
“Call on the Attacker” – Attacker – 3:35
“Nightmare” – Future Tense – 3:50
“Death Rider” – Overkill – 3:52
“Soldier Boy” – Fates Warning – 6:20

SIDE B

“The Brave” – Metal Church – 4:27
“Destroyer” – Lethyl Synn – 3:27
“The Warrior” – Final Warning – 3:49
“Crucifixion” – Hellhammer – 2:50
“Marching Saprophytes” – Mace – 4:07
“End of Time” – Jesters of Destiny – 3:20

LISTEN TO THE FULL ALBUM ON YOUTUBE

Metal Massacre Bands: Where Are They Now?

Several huge metal bands have had their debuts on the Metal Massacre compilations from Metal Blade Records, perhaps most notably Metallica who have their name misspelled on Metal Massacre 1. Early on they featured “hair bands” like RATT until Metal Blade became the go-to record label for thrash metal and started working with better bands like Cryptic Slaughter, Slayer and Hirax.

Mettallica or Metallica? - Mispelling on Metal Massacre 1 — Mettallica or Metallica? – Misspelling on Metal Massacre 1

Metal Massacre Graduates

ABOUT: Metal Massacre was started1981 Brian Slagel, founder of Metal Blade Records, decided to put out a compilation of unsigned, underground metal bands. Throughout the ’80s and early ’90s, he continued to release more volumes of the collections. Metal Massacre XII was released in 1995 and was the final Metal Massacre album until Metal Massacre XIII, released 11 years later in 2006. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Posted on March 26, 2019January 15, 2022 by ThrashMetalIQ — 3 Comments

Was Slayer “Live Undead” A Real Live Album?

This may not shock or amaze even some of the most metal fans: “live albums” that were really recorded in the studio — most of note and KISS and Peter Frampton.

There was a simple reason record companies were putting out so many live albums back then: THEY SELL!

But how about Slayer? Would they pull such a stunt?

You might be surprised….you can even listen to some of Slayer’s live recordings and demos that have been bootlegged from that period if you can deal with the crappy sound quality.

Kind of.

SLAYER LIVE UNDEAD – LISTEN TO THE WHOLE LP

Are You Ready For The Truth?

SLAYER LIVE UNDEAD

Here are the tracks:

Side A

Black Magic 03:56
Die by the Sword 04:01
Captor of Sin 03:32

Side B

The Antichrist 02:57
Evil Has No Boundaries 02:54
Show No Mercy 03:04
Aggressive Perfector 02:32

Total Running Time – 22:56

HERE IS HOW LIVE UNDEAD WAS RECORDED….

Tracks B1-B2 taken from 1984 Haunting the Chapel EP.
Track B3 is taken from the 1983 Show No Mercy album.

Recording information:

Tracks A1-A3 recorded live with a small number of fans in the studio.
Side one mixed at Track Record Studios, N. Hollywood, CA.
Side two recorded and mixed at Track Studios, N. Hollywood, CA.
Mastered at Capital Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
Track B3 mastered at MCA Whitney Recording Studios & The Town House Studios.
Co-produced by Slayer.

That said, it’s still an awesome album. If that shocks you, I can assure you that Show No Mercy was not a fake live album. In fact, the studio was so small that drummer Dave Lombardo had to OVERDUB HIS CYMBALS because they would “bleed over” into other tracks. If you list you can tell.

Posted on March 26, 2019January 15, 2022 by ThrashMetalIQ — 2 Comments

CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER – Convicted LP 1986 “Mutually Assured Destruction”

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER?

Cryptic Slaughter was formed in 1984 by Les Evans (age 17), Scott Peterson (age 14) and Adam Scott (age 15), who met through their mutual participation in the American Youth Soccer League (AYSO). Soon they were joined by Bill Crooks (age 15), a friend of Adam Scott and a fellow soccer player. Adam Scott was let go a few months later due to conflicts regarding his parents and school. (Source: Wikipedia)

Their first demo, Life in Grave, was produced in 1985 and became well circulated in the burgeoning tape-trader underground. Their first full-length LP, Convicted, was released in 1986 on Death/Metal Blade records, whose artist roster also boasted D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, Dr. Know, The Mentors, and Beyond Possession. Within its first year of release, Convicted sold over 25,000 copies and earned Cryptic Slaughter the reputation as being one of the fastest bands in hardcore.

Listen To Cryptic Slaught On Youtube

THESE GUYS RANKED IN MY LIST OF METAL BANDS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER

Convicted Tracklist

1 M.A.D.
2 Little World
3 Sudden Death
4 Lowlife
5 Rage To Kill
6 Rest In Pain
7 Nuclear Future
8 State Control
9 Hypocrite
10 War To The Knife
11 Nation Of Hate
12 Black And White
13 Reich Of Torture
14 Convicted
15 Flesh Of The Wench 2:36
16 Necessity Supreme 2:45
17 Life In Grave 1:36
18 War To The Knife 2:17
19 Rest In Pain 3:34
20 Set Your Own Pace 2:19
21 Positively 2:29
22 Black And White
23 Lowlife

Cryptic Slaughter Line Up 1985

Bill Crooks – Vocals
Les Evans – Guitars
Rob “Blasko” Nicholson – Bass, Vocals (backing)
Scott Peterson – Drums

STILL WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED TO CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER?

**HERE IS A PICTURE OF GUITAR PLAYER LES EVANS TODAY!**

Posted on March 25, 2019May 30, 2019 by ThrashMetalIQ — 2 Comments

MOD (Method of Destruction) USA for MOD Vinyl 1987

While Stormtroopers of Death were recording their debut album, Speak English or Die, tentative plans were made for a follow-up titled U.S.A. for S.O.D.. When the band did not release an immediate follow-up, M.O.D. used the title instead. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

LISTEN TO MOD ON YOUTUBE

GET THIS 1987 CROSSOVER CLASSIC ON VINYL (ORIGINAL PRESS – RARE)

BAND PHOTOS

TRACKLIST

“Aren’t You Hungry?” (Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Danny Lilker, Billy Milano) – 3:25
“Get a Real Job” – 2:10
“I Executioner” – 2:31
“Don’t Feed the Bears” – 1:03
“Ballad of Dio” – 0:11
“Thrash or be Thrashed” – 0:51
“Let Me Out” – 1:39
“Bubble Butt” (Benante, Ian, Lilker, Milano) – 0:43
“You’re Beat” – 2:15
“Bushwackateas” (Benante, Ian, Lilker, Milano) – 0:19
“Man of Your Dreams” – 3:40
“That Noise” – 0:13
“Dead Men/Most/Captain Crunch” – 3:30
“Jim Gordon” (Benante, Ian, Lilker, Milano) – 2:39
“Imported Society” – 1:46
“Spandex Enormity” – 5:27
“Short But Sweet” – 0:06
“Parents” – 1:39
“Confusion”/”You’re X’ed” – 2:48 (written by The Faith)
“A.I.D.S.” – 2:00
“Ruptured Nuptuals” – 0:13
“Ode to Harry” – 1:31
“Hate Tank” – 2:20

USA FOR MOD VINYL ALBUM ART

GET USA FOIR MOD HERE

Posted on March 25, 2019January 15, 2022 by ThrashMetalIQ — 2 Comments

Destruction – Eternal Devastation 1986 Metal Blade Records – MBR 1074

Eternal Devastation is the second full-length album by German thrash metal band Destruction. It was released in 1986. It showed the band had moved away from their previous black metal-influenced style of material evident on the Sentence of Death EP and Infernal Overkill albums, and were headed in the direction of a more contemporary thrash metal style. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

DESTRUCTION ALSO MADE THE TOP 10 OF METAL BAND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER

While they make have gone some at times silly fashion phases (pictured below) the band continues to tour and blow newer acts off the stage like they were not even trying.

DESTRUCTION (THE BAND) FROM GERMANY – STILL HEAVY AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS!

01 – 00:00 – Curse The Gods
02 – 06:07 – Confound Games
03 – 10:37 – Life Without Sense
04 – 17:01 – United by Hatred
05 – 22:05 – Eternal Ban
06 – 25:46 – Upcoming Devastation (Instrumental)
07 – 29:53 – Confused Mind

Posted on March 25, 2019August 31, 2021 by ThrashMetalIQ — 1 Comment

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SACRED RIECH? PHIL RIND DOESN’T WANT RIGHT OF CENTER FANS!

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SACRED RIECH? LET’S FIND OUT.

If you are a Sacred Reich fan (like I am) then you already know the quintessential album is Ignorance. If fact. while we are at it, let’s get that one quick spin. My favorite song is “Death Squad: (especially the first riff) classic thrash metal!

Sacred Reich still tours in 2019
Phil Rind and Whiley are the only 2 original members
In 2019 the band fired longtime drummer Greg Hall.
Former drummer Greg McCain is in Machine Head
Sacred Riech is still sighed to Metal Blade Record
In 2020 Phil Rind blast all Trump supporters and demanded that all people that are right of center should stop liking his band –

“If you are part of the Trump cult feel free to unfollow. We couldn’t give a fuck.
“If you can’t see the white supremacy that permeates this country I suggest you open your eyes and take a hard look. Read the book ‘White Fragility’. But if you dont see it, it’s probably because you don’t want to. Maybe you should go listen to ‘One Nation’.”
He added in a follow-up message: “If you can’t see the difference between BLACK LIVES MATTER standing up for unarmed black people being shot by police for decades across this country and armed white nationalist domestic terrorists storming the Capitol to stop an election in support of a dumb, racist, lying President then by all means UNFOLLOW, UNLIKE, DON’T SUPPORT…WHATEVER.
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/sacred-reichs-phil-rind-the-dumb-racist-assholes-who-invaded-the-capitol-did-it-to-support-the-dumb-racist-lying-president/

Album Art From Follow Up EP Surf Nicurauga

Listen To The Full Ignorance Album

SURF NICARAGUA was all in all a decent album. It came out October 4, 1988 on Metal Blade. The EP. THE ALBUM contains a cover version of the Black Sabbath’s, “War Pigs”, which also appeared on the band’s next EP, Alive at the Dynamo in 1989, in live form. The song “Surf Nicaragua” contains a part from the song “Wipe Out” as well as the drum part from the Hawaii 5-0 theme song. The live tracks “Ignorance” and “Death Squad” were only supposed to be on the CD version, but due to a pressing error, they appeared on all formats. (Source: Wikipedia)

Posted on March 24, 2019January 15, 2022 by ThrashMetalIQ — 4 Comments

Kreator – Extreme Aggression LP 1988 Epic – FE 45254

Extreme Aggression is the fourth studio album by German thrash metal band Kreator released in 1989. It was the first on a major label (Epic)

KREATOR WAS VOTED #3 ON METAL BANDS THAT SHOULD BEEN BIGGER

KREATOR’S 1989 “EXTEME AGRESSION” – Was It Awesome Or Did They Sell Out?

Extreme Aggression charted for the first time 28 years in 2017 after its release at number 90 on the German Charts. The remastered edition of the band’s 1986 album Pleasure to Kill charted on the same day.
Most American thrash fans became aware of Kreator through heavy rotation of the “Betrayer” on MTV’s Headbangers Ball.

Album Artwork From Extreme Agression

Critical Response

Jason Anderson gave the album a rating of four-and-a-half stars out of five, and wrote, “The results are fierce and noisy on this 1989 Epic released — the first major-label effort for the band. Petrozza and Fioretti’s guitar work is as punchy as ever, and Reil’s massive drums are unrelenting and continually improving.”

Extreme Aggression
No Reason To Exist
Love Us Or Hate Us
Stream Of Consciousness
Some Pain Will Last
Betrayer
Don’t Trust
Bringer Of Torture
Fatal Energy

Posted on March 23, 2019May 30, 2019 by ThrashMetalIQ — 2 Comments

EXODUS Pleasures Of The Flesh 1987 – ORIGINAL COVER / Picture. Disc

img_0584-1 img_0585-1 exodus pleasures of the flesh back cover 2

Pleasures of the Flesh was to originally feature cover art with an illustration of the band depicted as cannibals preparing and eating their meal. However, prior to release, the cover was replaced with a photo of the group members leaning on a bar. Just before the record’s issuance, the original album cover was promoted by the record company in music magazines with the headline “Metal’s Heaviest Meal”. It was also available as a limited edition picture disc LP. (Wikipedia)