Italy and thrash metal. I've got a lot of that lately, thanks to Punishment 18 Records sending me promos of their ever-growing catalogue. And once again, it was my first contact with a new band. 'Dragged' is Ground Control's sophomore album after the 2006 debut 'Insanity'.

I also checked out older songs by the band, and thank god (take your pick) they have a new vocalist! While the music is built from the same elements as their older stuff, insanely bad screaming vocalist is no more. The elements that make Ground Control's music are old school thrash metal, more rocking groove and good old heavy metal. Sounds like modern? Yeah it does, but still Ground Control must not be confused as a nu-metal band or something like that. Ground Control manage to sound at least a bit original. This is because they use special vocal melodies that do not directly remind me of any band, but the voice surely has some Hetfield-ism to it. The vocals are clean singing with some streetwise attitude on them. Music-wise they sit next to early 1990s Metallica and Annihilator, knitting together more darker feelings with energetic rocking. However, still the band are incapable in offering a varying album.

This album was played with intensity. Powerful and nicely clean sound is really striking and organic, not having any kind of digital feel to it. If the sound is good, the covers and booklet are some of the worst ever, with ugly color scheme and failed outcome of concept.

'Dragged' does not crash land. It has enough of power to keep it flying, even though the unvarying contents can be quite a ballast at times. Rocking thrash with balls if you want some, just nothing outstanding.

Rating: 6+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
09/06/2010 13:06