The thrash metal revival has been going on for some time now. Unlike the first wave of thrash where the bands that stood head and shoulders above the rest only came from the United States, a few
U.K bands are on equal footing with their American counterparts. In the early days of thrash metal, German bands such as Kreator, Sodom and Holy Moses were giving the American bands a run for the money and a much stronger force than anything from the UK. The likes of Xentrix and Slammer were relegated to second tier for a good reason, that's exactly what those bands were.
German band Running Death are very much part of the new thrash movement. The band are more influenced by 80's Bay Area bands than those from their own country. On the first few vocals of Simon Bihlmayer sound like a young James Hetfield on a sick day. You just wish he'd have a good rest, take medicine and avoid sneezing anywhere close to your proximity.
The drumming is standard meat and potatoes thrash metal fare rather than an attempt to rival Lombardo. The guitar rhythms however are a different story although they borrow heavily from early Metallica and Testament. Just before the two minute mark of "Celebrate Your Aggression", the vocals sound exactly like James Hetfield which fits the music like a glove because it too sounds like early Metallica however the band pick up tempo and the vocalist growls a call to arms "Celebrate your aggression against those bastards" and doesn't sound like he's auditioning for a role on Sesame Street and he shines when he actually comes across as aggressive. "Hunting for Heads" has early Testament all over it but even given the lack of originality that's still a plus point.
The more aggressive vocals drive the final two songs on this five song EP and Running Death finish on a strong note. Stronger vocals and maybe more prominent drumming throughout the release would have raised the bar and maybe have these guys sitting pretty alongside the likes of Havok, Warbringer and Toxic Holocaust.
2.5/5
Listen to this album here.
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