Voelker are hailing from USA and I must admit that I don’t really know much about this band besides that this is their brand new opus containing eleven songs. Music can be described are American school of thrash metal, Bay Area style, but also having a lot of other influences. For example I can hear NWOBHM in some guitar work, also there are lots of prog metal elements in songwriting, but making it more interesting to listen to. Lyrics deal with some personal stuff, but also with lots of current world themes, survival, war, politics, corruption and having almost punk political vibe. One of my personal favorites for sure is ‘One Percent’ being almost ballad at the start of the song, but evolving into angry thrash metal with mid tempo to double bass insanity mayhem. Guitar solos are great in all songs, having that melodic hooks and vibes, vocals also fit perfectly to this kind of metal. Some other songs mentioned as highlights are ‘Put’Em All To Sleep’, ‘Good As Gone’. Great and varied album.
Exiled on Earth are hailing from Italy, after three full lengths this is their new e.p. containing five songs, one being cover of Death´s Zombie Ritual. The history of these guys reaches to 2000 so they have been around in the scene for more than two decades now with this band. Music of this band can be described as progressive thrash metal, with some power metal influences here and there that go more into USA power metal territory than European melodic speed power metal, meaning more thrashy aggressive guitar work with some catchy hook here and there and great solos, thundering bass and superb drum work. The musicianship of this band is on the higher level than many, also another plus is that the songs are not too long and they do not get boring or pretentious as some bands do with this kind of metal. Vocals are snarled, shouted, but sometimes also melodic and this band was a pleasure to discover and listen to this e.p. Now I am gonna check out the full lengths too. Personal favorites: Psychic Retaliator, The Onyx Path.
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