It's not too often when a band sounds similar to how they did two decades ago. Yes, bands want to experiment, or then it's record labels' command to do so. But some return, or at least do it to some point, to older sound and output.

This is not the case with English thrashers Onslaught's comeback album 'Killing Peace'. Whereas their debut album from 1985, 'Power from Hell', was in vein of Venom and the sophomore one released a year later went added some Slayer and Kreator vibes in to the melting pot. This, the fourth one from 2007 goes in more modernized thrash metal stylistically somewhere close to Overkill and Exodus of past 25 years or so.

'Killing Peace' cannot be called as unique, especially not as inventive. But those who are looking for some good piece of modern, groovy thrash, may find it a bringer of good times. Its tempos fluctuate between fast and mid-paced; faster means thrashier and mid-paced moments may promise some more grooving times. The guitar riffs are rather blunt, often carrying that hardcore vibe with them, and they aren't truly tight. Same goes with the drumming, which is potent yet not thoroughly tight. The bass guitar is well audible, making another bow towards Overkill. There are ominous and evil-ish guitar leads in this riff-leaden music. Yes, evil-ish, but not truly wicked to drive a listener mad. The guitar work, even though often very memorable, is rather faceless.

Sy Keeler's, known from the two first albums, do it the aggro-way this time around, certainly fitting the music. He's not missing power, for sure. He barks, snarls, growls and screams; there is no scarcity of styles for him. When he does more high-pitched stuff, he does reming of Bobby Blitz of Overkill and Kreator Mille Petrozza, and otherwise it is easy to compare him with Exodus' Rob Dukes. The lyrics are typical stuff about war and religions.

The Andy Sneap production doesn't reach for ripping guitar sound, which is a bloody shame. On the contrary, it is thick yet a bit powerless, compact. It does not fucking slay! The drums are fine as is the bass. The instruments and the vocals can all be easily heard, as is expected, and they never get clogged, not for a second.

When I listened the album for the first times, while doing other things, it felt like a really promising one, but closer inspection did show its true substance. At their best, Onslaught are vigorous, but they cannot hold up that momentum throughout the album. Another deficiency here is the music's and vocals' meat and potatoes approach, like the band were just going with the flow, forgetting their own ideas.

'Killing Peace' is a quite potent thrash metal album of the noughties, but nothing more. It started a new era for the band, which is still going on, so... But I'm not feeling fulfillment when a song or the whole album is over. It is good but not balls to the wall!

Rating: 7- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/18/2019 22:11