TRENCH HELL

A veteran of such acts as TOXIC HOLOCAUST (touring band),NOCTURNAL GRAVES, and GOSPEL OF THE HORNS, guitarist Hexx has put his considerable energy into a nasty little old school metal band called TRENCH HELL. On "Southern Cross Ripper", the Melbourne, Australia war machine plays "dirty black thrashing speed metal" (couldn't have described it better myself). Fans that were finally convinced to duck their heads below ground due to the widespread appeal of TOXIC HOLOCAUST will love the hell out of TRENCH HELL.

So you already know that originality is not the name of the game here. And who really cares when the sound and delivery is this damn convincing? The filth and ferocity of the EP hits like a cross between vintage German thrash, HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, and even a pinch of "Kill 'Em All"-era METALLICA (at least on the title track and "Infernal Screaming", both of which are rippers of the highest order). Much of that HELLHAMMER sound is attributable to the vocals of bassist Kellhammer, although the suitably grimy production and wicked guitar tone has something to do with it as well. The riffs on this sucker smoke like an oil refinery fire and the songwriting sticks to the ribs. And damn, there is just something about that howling guitar solo on "Infernal Screaming" that makes the spine tingle. The beer soaked bad attitude is the EP's X factor.

You really can't have too many acts like TRENCH HELL. It sure as hell isn't fancy and it is about as far from prog-metal as you can get. You'll need a shower after it's over too. In other words, mission accomplished. Don't let mommy and daddy catch you with that album cover in your basement bedroom either.