PROFANATOR

Thus far, I'm rather impressed with the quality of albums released by Stormspell Records, an underground label that cares only about releasing traditional and thrash metal albums that they personally enjoy, rather than catering to trends or whatever is currently popular. I've still a ways to go, but having spent quality time with SPACE EATER's "After Shock" (recently reviewed here),CROSSWINDS' "Opposing Forces", and the subject of this review, PROFANATOR's "Deathgplagued", it seems the label operators have ears for good metal. Let's hope the rest of the promo haul is just as good.

On to "Deathplagued", the tale of the tape is not a complicated one. The nine-tracker consists of fierce blackened thrash metal with an old school emphasis and an approach to songwriting that is concerned equally with the murderous and the memorable. Though any number of classic period references could be thrown out and be at least in the vicinity of "on point" (DARK ANGEL, POSSESSED, etc),it is SLAYER that should once again get most of the inspirational credit. Blackened as it may be, the clipped 'n sharp speed riffing borrows from both "Reign in Blood" and "Hell Awaits", just not quite as overtly as some acts; hence, the references to other deathly thrashers. Still, once you get past righteous mashers like "Unfrightful so Dead Sons of a Bitch" (I have no idea either) and the "Triarchy of Loss", which includes tracks "Crackconjuring", "Voices in my Head", and "Narcolatry", the SLAYER emphasis kicks into higher gear to close out the proceedings with the sinister licks of "Trialed in Agony" and the title track. The closer also impacts at mid and high speeds, as well as shoehorning in bits of a more traditional thrash variety with the shout-supported chorus. The higher range, raspy vocals punctuated with the occasional death growl are well suited to the tunes too.

As you're winding down after that closing track, thinking about the sloshed truck driver that just ran over your ass, out comes a hidden track (66 of course),a cover of "Epidemic", just in case you were starting to question the SLAYER influence. And a good choice it is. Ain't no going wrong with "Deathplagued", unless you stopped listening to this stuff years ago and moved on to music of a more adult contemporary variety and began shopping at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Evil, thrashy, violent and limited to 1,000 copies.