Bolt Thrower's fifth crusade for death metal rolls over a listener like a battle tank. No mercy given, even though I didn't even ask for it... Again the album's theme is war, the most brutal thing man has invented. This time lyrical themes are more modern than last time on 'The IVth Crusade' (1992).

'War' opens the album kind of a slow way, but it's just an intro after all. Then, my favourite BT song 'Remembrance' literally explodes from speakers and the slaughter begins. On this album the band offer 10 tracks of groovy, but still very, very brutal death metal. It sounds practically ageless. '...For Victory' continues where 'The IVth Crusade' left and BT's trademarks are present: Eastern-flavored guitar melodies (by Baz Thomson & Gavin Ward), huge walls of guitars with rumbling bass assault from miss Jo Bench, low vo-kills by Karl Willetts and Andy Whale's double bass drum attacks. BT are unique, you know when it's them. The band travels from mayhemic attacks to epic hymns, for which the best example is the title track. There's no any credits included (I got the CD version), but the sound is totally heavy and absolutely fitting for this war-inspired embodiment of brutality. I dug up from somewhere the net, that production was handled by the band and guru Colin Richardson, and engineered by John Cornfield.

The biggest drawback (if you can call it like that, that is) of '...For Victory' is the almost insignificant variety between songs. But that's how BT do it, so I shut the fuck up! You either love it or hate it. Cover artwork is really cool with soldier marching to sunset after a battle. Booklet itself is a bit boring (only Warhammer Chaos Star eye design and horned monster skull with spears) and cursive typography is awful. Well, no bigger drawbacks here!

Another album by Bolt Thrower recommended for all death-heads. With '...For Victory' it's like you confronting a big horde of enemies and you're in for a good beating. Not much more words are needed to tell how good this album is, except: If you want it truly HEAVY, assaulting and nothing too technical, then gratify your primal needs with '...For Victory'!

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/07/2006 22:49