Ok so it’s time to go back to death metal me on the chopping block is the band Bolt Thrower. I do remember buying the album Realm Of Chaos at Amoeba back in the day and really enjoyed it so let’s take a look…….
In Battle There Is No Law- if you ever wanted to know what grindcore mixed with hardcore punk sounds like then definitely give this album a listen. The recording on this one is raw but I will say that you can tell where they want to go in terms of their sound. I’ll give this one 8/10
Standouts: Forgotten Existence, Challenge For Power, Attack In The Aftermath
Realm Of Chaos- so this was my introduction to these guys and as I said earlier, I was at Amoeba and I remember asking one of the workers in the black metal section for a recommendation and this was it. He did say that they were known for their riffs and he is absolutely 100% correct. The riffs on this are killer. Combine that with the drum work and lyrics and you’ve got a great record. I’ll give this record 10/10
Standouts: Through The Eye Of Terror, Eternal War, Plague Bearer
War Master- now while the last album had grindcore elements in it, this one abandons that sound and here it’s just a straight up death metal record. This one does have the blast beats with the drums but this one is almost more melodic than the previous album. Regardless, this is another must listen and I’m giving it another 10/10
Standouts: The Shreds Of Sanity, War Master, Profane Creation
The IVth Crusade- so if War Master was more of a death metal record, then this one is a death/doom metal record. Yes they slowed down a bit here but it’s still really riff heavy. And while it may have slowed down, it’s not so slow that it’s boring. When Bolt Thrower slows down, it’s actually really good. I hate to keep being repetitive but I’m giving this one another 10/10
Standouts: Embers, Where To Conquer Next, Ritual
…For Victory- so again it would seem like these guys are continuing where they left off from the previous album in terms of their sound. This one has songs that speed up then slow down. When the6 slow down their songs, they have these slow crushing riffs that are absolutely badass. Some of the songs can be a bit on the repetitive side so I’ll give this one 9/10
Standouts: Remembrance, Graven Image, Tank MK I
Mercenary- I wanted to like this one a lot more but I couldn’t. Now that’s not to say that this is a bad record at all but it’s just not quite as strong as their other records. The songs are a little on the hit or miss side. My biggest complaint about this record is that I feel like some of the vocals tend to drag on a little too long. I’ll give this one 7/10
Standouts: Laid To Waste, Powder Burns, No Guts No Glory
Honour Valour Pride- so this is the first and only album to have Dave Ingram (Benediction) on vocals and I must say he does do a pretty good job replacing Karl Willetts. The album itself is pretty good but it’s got some Mercenary vibes to it. It’s a step up from the last album but again some of the songs are just ok. I’ll give this one 8/10
Standouts: Honour, K-Machine, 7th Offensive
Those Once Loyal- and we have Karl Willetts back on vocals and it’s definitely a welcome return. It seems like they tried to sort of go back to how they sounded on their older material. This is definitely an album that you could say is a return to form. The killer riffs and hooks are there and the blast beats are back too. Overall, this is a great record and it’s really too bad that this is their last. I’ll give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Entrenched, Last Stand Of Humanity, At First Light
This is definitely one of these bands where I had a lot of fun listening to. Seriously if you love good riffage combined with awesome drumming, then definitely give these guys a listen. It’s realle too bad their drummer passed away and therefore they broke up. Hopefully there will be a reunion at some point but from what I’ve read, it doesn’t seem likely.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- The IVth Crusade
- War Master
- Realm Of Chaos
- Those Once Loyal
- …For Victory
- In Battle There Is No Law
- Honour- Valor- Pride
- Mercenary
Sinister Reviews 