Italy's thrashers Vexed have destruction and holocaust in their mind. Their intentions are brutal, but putting them into practice didn't really work on their second album 'Nightmare Holocaust' (2003). How's their third strike 'Destruction Warfare', then?

No way, mainly "thanks" to crap drumming! I mean, thrash metal should be tight as a-fucking-tight-thing, right?! Right, but here the drummer is off-target, and badly. It doesn't help, that kick drums are mixed high, so sloppiness is well audible. This doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it decreases momentum critically. How about guitars? No trouble with them, as two guitar slingers play nice thrash and rocking riffs and chaotic squealing solos. Nothing unique, but speedy old school stuff from 1980s USA and Germany done quite well. It is about aggression, not about melodies, as it's relentless and pounding. The songs aren't all that memorable, even though most are quite straight. But there's a lot of headbanging action here.

The vocals are much better than annoying whine last time around. Now they are angry, but a bit ballsless, because there's a big reverb on them. Quite manic and varying between clean strained ones reminding me of Forbidden's Russ Anderson, Schmier-esque screams and even some growls. Lyrics are crap, usually something I can't comprehend: "submission grave, brain killing death, chameleon shit, master, slave, whore". Production is more ballsy than on the previous album. Above mentioned hollow kick drums are really too loud in the mix. Otherwise it's pure thrash with echoing vocals and sharp guitar sound. The bass with its rubbery tone is audible in the mix.

Potentially Vexed are a good old school thrash metal band. Okay and good songs, but those fucking drums... So, next time guys, show what you are really capable of and stop this sloppy madness. It does no good for anybody.

Rating: 6- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/13/2005 20:02