Justified Genocide

Hail of Bullets, Asphyx, Thanatos – already these three names indicate the importance of the Dutch death metal scene. Okay, its protagonists love to play in more than just one band and therefore a tinge of incest lies over this morbid community. However, I see no reason why the Norwegian black metal freaks should have a monopoly on this form of making things bigger than they are. Finally, it just feels good that guys like Stephan Gebédi, who is musically active for more than three decades, spread their creativity not only under one banner.

“Justified Genocide” (didn’t know that such thing exists, stupid me) is no milestone in terms of death metal or death thrash metal, but it scores with a more or less perfect production. Thanatos present a powerful, transparent and voluminous sound which is extremely aggressive and with a lot of pressure. Its mighty wickedness becomes clear in particular when listening to “Dawn of Eternity”. The sound makes the difference between the original of Massacre and the cover of Thanatos. Another question is whether it was really necessary to record this track anew, because the Dutch commando forgot to integrate a grain of individuality. Additionally, another well-known classic closes the album. “The Burning of Sodom” makes the Dark Angel fly again and that’s good, but Thanatos should have taken care of the old rule that one should not cover songs no one can make better.

Death thrash formations have different options. Some deliver just an ultra-vehement mix of blast beats, in agony howling guitars and rabid vocals, some try to widen the narrow subgenre frame with an inappropriate dose of technical complexity and the weak ones deliver nothing but noisy nonsense. However, the best bands create a barbaric catchiness that has nothing in common with the cheesy trivialities the established music industry calls catchy. Thanatos vote for this option from time to time, for example at the beginning of “Destruction.Chaos.Creation.” and especially during the best parts of “The Netherworld” (the beginning and the end). There are more details that rise from the basic inferno, short, nearly melancholic solos or mid-paced, stomping sequences. The opening riff of the title track also promises a great number with its somewhat tragic flavour, but Thanatos do not always give the riffs the space they would actually need to shine in full bloom.

The lyrics of “The Netherworld” deal with the Holocaust and this topic makes the song all the more intensive. It offers many layers of violence, a lot of tempo shifts, effervescent guitars and precisely killing drums. Thus, it marks a good representative of the whole album if we neglect the fact that the remaining songs are slightly weaker but still stable. Thanatos do not dare to conduct any kind of experiment and they should have kept a closer eye on more memorable lines, but these things do not conceal that “Justified Genocide” is a good album that satisfies the needs of the supporters of the subgenre – and it holds a late, little highlight, the fatalistic, slow-paced “Apostles of Damnation”.

In a last couple of years metal scene got back quite a few excellent bands that just disappeared or decided to call it quits years back for whatever reasons. Now they've come back to kick some ass again. Thanatos is one of them and after listening to "Justified Genocide" I must say that I welcome the boys back with my arms wide open.

Last time I've heard Thanatos (if I remember correctly!) I've listened to "Realms Of Ecstasy" somewhere back around 1992/93. I know that there are albums that the band recorded and put out between now and then but I didn't have the chance to listen to any of them. I remember that back in 1992 Thanatos created quite a stir in the scene playing mixture of Death and Thrash Metal and doing it mighty well. "Realms Of Ecstasy" was one of my favorite albums back then so when I got their newest album "Justified Genocide" I expected some good 'ol ass whooping. New album tends to be more old school, straightforward, neck breaking, ass kicking thrash metal instead of death thrash but let me tell you something: this is the best thrash I've heard in a long while and I can only compare it to the best out there!!!! I honestly cannot believe that music that I find on this disc was shelved for so long and no one had enough brains to put it out. All songs on this release are instant classics in the genre and are milestones not only in Thanatos discography but in all thrash music.

What really amazes me about the album the most is the fact that all compositions are so different from each other but yet are completing one another. All easily recognizable either by awesome solo or guitar melody, unique riff or scream along chorus. All superbly crafted and recorded with wicked lyrics and all around energy. Whole album boils with ideas, riffs, innovation and dynamics. It all seems effortless and enthusiastic but at the same time angry, furious and brutal. Recording and production play a huge role here being simply exquisite and mix and mastering are done by Dan Swano, which speaks for itself. I could try and talk about guitars, drums, vocal lines and such but no words can describe what's being delivered through my speakers. "Justified Genocide" needs to be heard and needs to be listened loud. I cannot skip mentioning of very original album cover done by bass player Marco De Bruin. This something that really enhances the whole listening experience. It's an artwork that visualizes and brings to life some of the topics that are screamed, barked and/or growled by Stephan Gebedi throughout the album. It's an artwork that definitely pushes the imagination towards dark, depression and sadness. Another thing that I have to mention is addition of two re-recorded songs ('And Jesus Wept' and cover of Dark Angel 'The Burning Of Sodom') that are from 2006 7" record and are almost beyond reach anywhere. I' am almost positive that they sound better than originals!! There's also cover of Massacre's 'Dawn Of Eternity' that adds an extra kick in the face just in case some of us would still be standing.

"Justified Genocide" is right now on top of my play list and seems like it will stay there for a while. I highly recommend this album to any and all metalheads that still enjoy good 'ol honest thrash metal and have enough heart and courage to do some serious headbanging. When I think about the album I think it should come with a warning: There are 12 songs on the album- stretch before going nuts and headbang carefully!!

Thanatos have been raising hell since their formation in 1984 as the first Dutch extreme metal band. Early times' thrashing got death metal beside it soon, which was more than appropriate since Thanatos is "the dæmon personification of Death and Mortality itself" (ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos). Now, a quarter-century later since their formation, the band release their fifth full length album 'Justified Genocide', five years after the previous album 'Undead. Unholy. Divine.' (2004).

'Justified Genocide' was long time in the making, but it is not at all audible. The band launch into relentless, energy-filled, yet so skilful tornados of torment with 'They Feed on Fire'. The double bass drumming, tearing riffage and guffawing guitar turn into brutal thrashing with some Swedish-style riffing and throat lacerating vocals and fine slow breaks with memorable guitar soloing. The band show that they still know how to build up interesting old school metal. 'Destruction.Chaos.Creation.' is a slithering piece with some faster parts to keep up the pulse, plus a Testament style riffage afger three-minute mark. 'The Devil's Triangle' sounds like it was from the end of 1980s with its evil, warbling riffing. 'March of the Infidels' hits the speed surge, providing some real blasting attack, but being a rather narrow song. The title track begins slow, but keeps on accelerating into a fine thrasher, and there are some Vader stylings on it. 'The Netherworld' smells Swedish with its barbaric catchiness. 'Dawn of Eternity' is a fine cover of the Massacre classic from their legendary debut album 'From Beyond' (1991). 'Apostles of Damnation' is another slithering trip to hell. 'Upwards Spiritual Evolution' ends the trundle with thrashing the fuck up. Two bonus tracks follow, good re-recording of originally 1992 song '...And Jesus Wept' and truly vicious Dark Angel cover 'The Burning of Sodom' from the 2006 'The Burning of Sodom / ...And Jesus Wept' EP. The lyrics cover such topics as governmental monitoring, Nazis' occult and genocidal toilings, religious barbarity, mass murderers, and they even enter Agent Steel's territory of alien invaders.

The Dan Swanö production also nods toward the old school. I think this was recorded by the band themselves, but mixed by preceptor Swanö. The guitars sound raw indeed with their ripping, massive tone. The drums sound powerful, with some great nuances, eg. cymbal trickery by Yuri Rinkel (aka Xul of Melechesh). The blast beats add a more "modern" (read: not 25 years old!) edge to them. The bass by Marco de Bruin (also lead guitar with lead guitar player Paul Baayens) provides the loud pulse. It still sounds kind of modern too, but definitely not plastic. Maybe the guitars are a bit overwhelmed by the rhythm section at times. The vocals by the leader and guitarist likewise Stephan Gebédi are like the mixture of Chuck Schuldiner (Death) and Dutch mates Martin Van Drunen of Asphyx (also ex-Pestilence and Hail Of Bullets among the others). The semblance of this album is good enough, although a tad mild and generic, so do not let it fool you.

While 'Justified Genocide' isn't my favourite album by them, Thanatos have kept faithful to the times of their formation. Surely, you should not expect anything novel, it is musicwise vintage all the way. Well, if you've followed the band in the past, you know that they do exactly what they want to do and do it with style. Old school deathrashing, but no old-timer, and thanks to pretty new label Deity Down Records. Keep it alive!

(originally written for ArchaicMetallurgy.com in 2009)

Holland's Thanatos are true veterans of the European metal scene, with a career now spanning well over two decades, despite never landing a large following. Justified Genocide is their 5th full-length album in all those years, but it offers a worthy dose of chunky and excitable thrashing death metal; ample evidence that the band has not lost its drive along the way. That said, this new album isn't about to shatter any boundaries or earn the band a heap of new fans; it's just business as usual. Fans of fellow Dutch death/thrash band Legion of the Damned (formerly Occult) will find a lot to appreciate with this band's similar, simple approach.

Rooted in the traditional German thrash metal, early Florida death metal and a heavy dose of Slaytanic influence, the Dutchmen bludgeon their way across 11 tracks. "They Feed on Fear" starts off as a simplistic pit anthem before picking up into a more sporadic and exciting thrash riff. "Destruction. Chaos. Creation." slogs forth at a slow, precise pace, it feels almost as if a lumbering titan is draggings its enormous arms along behind as it lays waste to a city. Other choice tracks include the moody "Apostles of Damnation" (with a slow brutality to it reminiscent of Morbid Angel's album Domination), and the blazing speed of "The Netherworld". The CD also includes two tracks from a 7" a few years back, including a decent cover of Dark Angel's classic "The Burning of Sodom" which I daresay might sound better than the original. Not all of the sounds are very good, however, there are a handful which felt more like filler while I was waiting for something exciting to happen.

The sound of the album is raw and crunchy, but it really gives the album a fist to the face appeal which should please death and thrash purists who want a no-nonsense, brutal delivery rather than something which sounds like it was recorded in a billion measure for measure takes. This band could probably plug in at the local concert hall and deliver this sound right through the speakers. The lyrics follow the expected themes of social unrest, religion and the occult. There isn't a large fanbase for a band like this, they write in an old school style without a lot of the technicality that many younger death metal fans desire. But in this case it's unecessary, as this album was written for thrashers who want a brutal edge to the form. If that niche includes you, then Thanatos does deliver.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Holland’s Thanatos is back this year with only their fifth album in close to twenty five years of existence. The band started out in 1984 as probably the first extreme metal band from Holland and from then to now has steadily built itself a reputation for kicking ass.

Justified Genocide sees the band continue to do what they do best. This is ass kicking death thrash that has old school written all over it. No Swedish melodies, breakdowns or anything remotely trendy for this lot. The band write thrash metal songs like they always did and while the mix may have become a little more rabid with a slight injection of death metal into their sound its only a good thing. Right from album opener They Feed on Fear it’s pretty clear that Thanatos is in fine form. Equal parts German thrash, Bay Area thrash and just a slight touch of the Stockholm death metal sound means Justified Genocide is angry, rabid and brutal enough to kick your ass into next week.

Stand out tracks include Destruction Chaos Creation with a solid thrash groove and wild but vintage thrash soloing, Justified Genocide is another excellent song with some serious Dark Angel worship happening in the riffing. Apostles of Damnation slows things down with a mid tempo groove and great vocals while Upwards Spiritual Evolution is some more rabid thrash. The album ends with a completely awesome cover of Dark Angel’s The Burning of Sodom.

While Thanatos has not done anything new or path breaking on Justified Genocide, they have managed to put together an album that should make most fans of the old school nod their head in approval. This is a fun and very aggressive thrash album that is completely trend free and well worth checking out.

Originally written for http://www.kvltsite.com

Oh, how I dreaded the moment when I would have to review this album. I don’t generally listen to thrash metal, and there are very few bands of the genre I really appreciate. So when I get a promo of a thrash band I get a feeling of despair, ‘cause I’m not all that familiar with the genre and will most likely highly dislike the record. So, "Justified genocide" laid here for a while, still wrapped in its plastic, before I even dared listen to it. But this was luckily one of those few times where I should’ve just put it on and get my fears blown out the window, ‘cause this is one hell of an album.

Thanatos have apparently been around since 1984, but I’ve never heard of them before (might be that general antipathy towards the genre, maybe), and this is their fifth fullength. But it’s not pure thrash, far from it. Old school death metal is mixed with the grooviest thrash I’ve heard, bringing old Floridian acts to mind. But I even detect a tad black metal, or maybe it’s the vocals leading me astray. Now don’t get me wrong, this is not ordinary black metal shrieks, but a mixture of typical thrash screams, black and semi-death metal growls. And his voice is wicked, I tell you. Tight, slick riffing carrying with it loads of groove and energy lays the foundation for the music. And with the speeding drum work and vocals from the abyss it’s almost impossible not to get drawn in. You can’t listen to this and sit still; you have to get jiggy with it.

Most tracks range from mid tempo to extreme blasting, and the seriously fast bits add brutality and gets the adrenaline pumping. And it’s some of the most brutal thrash I’ve encountered. But Thanatos also show off some slower material, like for instance "The devil’s triangle", which is a marvelous track. Quite frankly they’re all marvelous tracks. Anti-religious lyrics are mixed with historical observations and alien fantasies, as well as some social criticism. And I like it, packing some constructive and serious lyricism and not just hailing Satan like many other bands.

"Justified genocide" is definitely one of the most violent and powerful thrash albums I’ve ever heard. A highly recommended buy!

Originally written for http://www.mylastchapter.net