When I first read Kill Ritual’s bio, it got me almost wetting my pants. The reason being, is that I read the words “Bay” “Area” and “Thrash” in the same sentence. I was a huge fan of that whole scene back in the day, so I was REALLY looking forward to giving this the full Monty.
From the opening track, my suspicions were confirmed. This comes out of the gate like an angry bull, and if you get in it’s way, you will be gored, disembowelled and trampled into the dirt, where it will crap all over you. It’s fast, it’s heavy, and it’s brutal. After just a few minutes listening to this, you will be concussed, and bleeding from your ears. This isn’t music, it’s assault with a deadly weapon, or it would be if it didn’t feel so damned good. Yes, you might gather that I like this, more than a lot.
This is thrash done the old school way, you know, like Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Kreator, D.R.I. and all those kind of bands. Is it something new and exciting? Is it Hell as like, it’s old and exciting, the way things used to be. Who cares if it’s not original? When music is this great, I for one couldn’t care less. I could blissfully wallow in this album for hours on end, such is the quality of music on display here.
Ok maybe I’m being a little unfair, as while it’s an old style of music, these guys certainly do put their own stamp on things. It’s been given a modern update, and dragged through the last thirty years, kicking and screaming and let loose on the world once more. Why not have a Bay Area Thrash revival? It was one of the most successful movements of that era, and it produced some fantastic music. Kill Ritual are no exception.
One thing I just have to say though, is that if this album is anything to go by, then anyone going to a Kill Ritual live show will be leaving minus their head, because these guys will take it clean off. You have been warned … If these guys come to the UK and play, I’ll be first in the queue for the axe, you can count on that!
