Since their formation in 2021, Aussie thrash metal band Decimator have gone through a variety of line-up changes, but this potential instability only seems to have made frontman (and only original member) Lance even more determined to make his band a success. Decimator’s 2025 release ‘Downfallen’ features material that, prior to its release, had been pitched as having “more fire and ferocity” but also “a more refined approach to songwriting”.
Tag Archives: thrash metal
STRAENGE – Filthy Microbes
In the middle of the first pandemic lockdown of 2020, Japanese thrashers Straenge released their second demo, the ‘Thrash Medicine’ EP. Its five tracks demonstrated a brilliant, very technical approach to heaviness, often combining the speed of ‘Seasons In The Abyss’ era Slayer with the anger of early Kreator. On a musical level, the band sounded great. Vocally, things were a different matter: the material featured an ugly growl that fused the guttural edge of death metal with the power of hardcore, which, coupled with an obvious Japanese accent, made all of the lyrics inaudible. Assuming you could approach the material purely on its instrumentalists’ merits, of course, this underground band often sounded very cool.
German thrashers Vulture release their tenth anniversary anthem ‘Power Thrash’
Despite forming in 2015, German thrashers Vulture have always celebrated the sounds of 1987. Never was this more blatant than on their current single, the fittingly titled ‘Power Thrash’.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #103
This visit to the Singles Bar ends with some of our noisier picks from recent times, taking in a love letter to 90s grunge, a crushing metallic riff with alternative leanings and even a slab of old school thrash, but that’s not to say we’ve overlooked other musical interests. With a disco/electronica infused workout, a quirky track from an up and coming Irish singer-songwriter and some pure pop from a now familiar voice, the usual musical detours that have helped our weekly column retain interest are still very much present. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy…
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EXA – Left In Shards
From the early years of Sodom and Kreator, through to latter day revival sounds with Dust Bolt, the Germans have always had a great ability when it comes to thrash metal. Here’s another band that really should be on your radar. Formed in 2016 when the musicians were still at school, EXA’s music carries all the ferocity of your 80s favourites, tempered by a production sound that’s a little more modern.