If you think all these new bands playing thrash metal in the old way are just mustard-gushing babies with no balls, then I need to crush your assumption by presenting Alkoholizer. Because if you think that way, there is no way you've heard this Italian group of drunkards. They formed only in 2006 and 'Drunk or Dead...' is their debut album.

Short "radio" intro, which made me fear that here we have another fun band without fun, turns into thrashing to show ripping guitar tone and pounding rhythm section. But this is just the pre-taste of what Alkoholizer are capable of. When 'Pay with Your Blood' explodes into action, you'll be creaming yourselves if 1980s speed/thrash is your thing. Yup, nothing new here, just done in the similar way as it was done in the eighties. It sounds pretty North American, like Exodus and Slayer (especially 'Art of Misery' with its tectonic plates moving slower part) for example, but there is this certain German spirit, too. 'Sardinian Beer' reminds me of Assassin and Tankard, and not only lyrically. So, the songs vary from nasty and ripping to good-time banging such as on rocking 'Alkoholik Metal'. I just put it this way: It is not easy at all to make good old school thrash and really nail the spirit in good songs! And they stick to intense, short compositions.

The vocals are bloody able. They are quite normal or should I say human, if thinking about their style. There are some Tom Araya style scream-to-shout manoeuvres. But there's fluctuation in emotions, as sometimes the vocals are nasty, sometimes more cosy. The gang vocals are abound throughtout the album. The sound runs along the old ways, but with 21st century punch and cleanness. Not meaning that this is sterile at all, no, just that everything is nicely audible. The lyrics are about, what else than war, beer and shitty society.

From the logo, cover and booklet art to the music itself, Alkoholizer have managed to keep up the spirit of the yore. Taking into consideration, that this is a young band's debut album, it's fucking well done!

Rating: 8- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/21/2009 14:03