WARBRINGER „Waking Into Nightmares”

Genre: Thrash Metal
Country: USA
Band Website: www.myspace.com/warbringer
Duration: 40:14
Killer Songs: “Jackal,” “Shadow From The Tomb,” “Severed Reality”

Thank ye Thrash gods Warbringer have released the evil twin to their “War Without End” debut in record time. With Mr. Exodus himself (that’s Gary Holt) on production duties, the new material the band presents to the metal world is 40 minutes of pure unadulterated thrashmageddon. Sure, there’s a somber instrumental somewhere (“Nightmare Anatomy”), but the rest of “Waking Into Nightmares” proves 2009’s grimmest high-decibel assault.

While the band retains their sense of melody, even the barest semblance of it at times, the album largely shifts from one blizzard to another. It all begins with the opener “Jackal” followed by the pummeling “Living In A Whirlwind” and on to the adrenalin ride that’s “Severed Reality.” By the time they’re three songs deep, your ears will be hurting, but the Warbringer lads are just getting warmed up. If you ever loved Thrash, there’s not a chance in heaven or hell you cannot like this album.

Warbringer’s shattering barrage continues with the neck-breaking tunes “Prey for Death,” “Senseless Life,” and “Shadow From The Tomb” that brutalize to the point of redundancy. There’s also a cameo here from Exodus alumnus Zetro Souza on the maniacal “Shadow…” where he squeals like a stuck pig in his trademark nasal whine.

Even if the solos from John Laux and Adam Carol reliably burn for a minute or two, Warbringer aren’t resurrecting “Rust In Peace” on any of the cuts here. Judging by John Kevill’s Tom Araya-meets-Mille Petroza snarl, it’s obvious the band prefer staying faithful to their genre’s bare bones. So the rest of the members act accordingly, with Nick Ritter pounding away behind the kit while Ben Bennet delivers these throbbing bass lines that haven’t been heard since the first Testament and Death Angel albums. The bottom line is Warbringer want it loud, fast, and violent, not to mention old school, with an occasional glimmer of death metal. And that’s it.

“Waking Into Nightmares” will rip your spine out then cum in your face. Brutal, eh?

Don’t say you weren’t warned.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1.Jackal
2.Living In A Whirlwind
3.Severed Reality
4.Scorched Earth
5.Abandoned By Time
6.Prey For Death
7.Nightmare Anatomy
8.Shadow From The Tomb
9.Senseless Life
10.Forgotten Dead

Line-up

John Kevill-Vocals
John Laux-Guitar
Adam Caroll- Guitar
Ben Bennet-Bass
Nick Ritter- Drums