Well, all of you must have noticed that the old school Thrash Metal is back and some may even be tired of this new wave, saying it’s only a trend etc., but the fact is that we are really seeing lots of bands trying to rescue the song structures, the attitude, the lyrics and everything related to the music made in the 80’s. And so what? Indeed, it is wonderful that the 80’s music is back in a certain way, because it was really fantastic! Yes, even though I’m not so fascinated by this discussion of what genres or decade were better than the other, since this is a completely personal issue, I started listening to metal and punk when I was 12 or 13 years old in the 80’s...so, the music done at that decade is more deeply rooted in my mind and body, and that’s why this release of the Italian band Assaulter made me so furiously happy.

Well, getting out of this philosophical debate, the present release is an Ep originally self-released by the band in 2011, but re-released now by EBM records. The line-up of this recording is Enzo (vocals, bass), Luca and Paolo (guitars) and Rodolfo (drums). Beginning with a strong and heavy instrumental introduction that lasts about 1:30 minute and prepares our necks to the explosion of Crushed by raging mosh, this first song comes with extreme fierceness, reminding me of the glorious Hirax in lots of passages, despite Assaulter sounds more technical and complex in terms of musical structure sometimes, what doesn’t mean that they do not sound agressive. Enzo’s voice proves that: he follows the harsh school of Tom Araya and Whiplash’s Tony Portaro and this is great, because it fits Thrash Metal much more than the sweet melodic voices of some bands. The next song is called “Hand maniac” and it keeps the violence of their music going on, showing a fuckin’ great work of guitars, with excellent riffs and solos that certainly will make you bang your head to death, especially if you have a beer can in your hand and lots of alcohol in your mind.

“Flag of destruction” starts with a midtempo intro and soon falls into a spiral of angry speed that makes this tune the greatest example of Asaulter’s power for sure. Catchy guitars, ultrafast drums and utter heaviness make our ears bleed with this and also with the next song, “Thrash assault”, which brings out their influences in the roots of 80’s music done by Slayer and Exodus, just to mention the most proeminent ones. “The flame of pain”, the fifth song, still displays their usual ferocity with fuckin’ screaming vocals that make me feel like screaming together, as I always do when I listen to high-pitched screams of Tony Portaro or Paul Baloff in the times of “Bonded by blood”. Unfortunately, after all this headbanging, comes the last song, whose title points to the essence of this EP: “Beer!!!”. So, to finish the slaughter, they scream out: “beer, beer, beer, give me a fuckin’ beer!!!”, telling what you should do just at the beginning of this play: just put “Crushed by raging mosh” to play, puto n your old jeans, open up some beers and travel to the glorious days of the most violent Thrash Metal! Simply mandatory to all maniac fans of the old school metal!

CRISTIANO PASSOS