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Alkoholizer > Drunk or Dead... > Reviews
Alkoholizer - Drunk or Dead...

Ten Tracks Of Sheer Madness - 85%

psychosisholocausto, February 23rd, 2013

10 tracks of sheer madness. Those are the only words that can truly sum up and capture the intensity of Italian thrash revival act Alkoholizer's only studio album to date, Drunk Or Dead, an underground release put out in 2009. This is an album that would not feel out of place in the thrash heyday of the 1980's, being utter madness, but completely honed and refined to the point where it tops many of its 1980's comrades. Sound-wise, this album is very Exodus sounding, with hints of Testament and Sodom thrown in here and there. The album reminds me somewhat of a slightly less aggressive Bonded By Blood, combining bludgeoning, well written riffs with speedy drumming and a vocalist whose shrieks really could take the listener's face off. Right from the first proper track, Pay With Your Blood, the listener knows exactly what they are in for-a throw back to the thrash metal peak. Hell, this song even has a song called Thrash Metal-what more could the listener ask for?

The intro riff to track 5, Alcoholic Metal, may well be one of the speediest on the album, being played with speed that would blister the fingers. However, this does not sound all pressed together like many fast thrash riffs do. In fact, this stands out as one of the finest riffs found on the album, and creates a truly mean sound. Also, this song contains some rather amazing high pitched shrieks, that somewhat reminds me of a less demented version of Tom Araya, and feels right at home on this release. The soloing throughout this release is absolute top notch, and really is played to perfection, being extremely brutal, whilst not going overkill in the vein of Kerry King. Sick Orthopedic and Sardinian Beer are some of the better solos found on this album, and really are nicely written, and give the album yet another credit to its name. By this point, it becomes clear that the album is the triumphant revival thrash album, topping the most recent albums by its 1980's contempories by some long way.

The introduction to Kill Without Remorse is utterly perfect, in ways that would even have the title track to Kreator's Coma Of Souls quivering in fear. Every riff flows into the next one, and the drumming is sheer awesome beyond belief. Literally, it should be impossible for any modern thrash band to possess this amount of talent, but somehow Alkoholizer really do have a lot of skill on their instruments and the ability to turn this skill into 9 full on masterpiece songs, as well as an intro track that somehow fits the nature of the album perfectly. The only hint of a mishap that can be found on this album is that it almost seems to rip off some of the 1980's bands slightly too hard. That signature edge that Sodom had is there on every song, with a little Tankard thrown in, and a sound that is extremely similar to that of Exodus. However, this is not too bad, as it shows that they at least knew who the kings of the thrash scene were.

This album is, quite frankly, one of the best thrash albums i have heard in a long time. This tops each and every pretender to the modern thrash throne, with every song being perfectly written, and completely aggressive. The vocalist is absolutely maniacal, the solos are brilliant, the riffs are frantic, and the bass work is top notch. This is how thrash metal should be made

Six shooters and a bottle of 80 proof thrash. - 72%

hells_unicorn, August 26th, 2012

Riding the proverbial tide of rekindled interest in 80s retro thrash metal is yet another solid Italian act courtesy of Punishment 18 Records in Alkoholizer, arguably Italy’s most overt answer to Tankard. Following a similar formula of high speed riff violence and lyrical clichés of alcohol and humor, they’ve manage to carve out a rather impressive debut in “Drunk Or Dead…” that seeks to reaffirm existing practices rather than ride off into less explored territory. This approach can work almost as well as being one of the pioneers, provided that the clichés are not overly obvious and the sole tool in play and these mad thrashers do a decent job of keeping things short and reasonably fresh.

The overall approach of this album is a slightly updated reassertion of the late 80s style exhibited by Sodom, but also includes a few trace moments where earlier Slayer comes into the picture. The latter influences largely tend to manifest in the vocals, which are a classic mix of mostly mid-level gruff shouts with a few occasional high-pitched screams right out of the “Show No Mercy” formula. However, while the overall inflection of Tom Araya’s yells were dark and forbidding, Alessandro Lucariello’s approach has a slight happy-go-lucky feel to it, as if the legions of darkness have taken a break from burning villages and are now partying back at their camp.

Musically, the format is a little bit more nuanced, resting somewhere between the perpetual fastness of “Persecution Mania” and the punkish gusto of “The Morning After”, but the overall feel is definitely of a rock solid, German bent. The largely percussive yet harmonically stationary riff work is heavily reminiscent of the exaggerated influences of Motorhead and Venom upon the earliest adherents, and the drum and bass work follow in concert with a very formulaic bottom end that exudes a similar duality of speed and slow progression of ideas. In other words, it maintains the same level of psychotic fury to play with the cynical, quasi-misanthropic tendencies of the darker elements of the thrash style, yet still comes off as fitting for the party hearty lyrics that aren’t terribly that far a cry from what Motorhead was putting forth at the beginning of the 80s.

While the album as a whole is consistent almost to a fault stylistically, song by song the quality tends to dip a bit depending on how far the band elects to take their party till you puke imagery. While the radio intro meshed with a playful little spaghetti western tune adapted to the genre that leads into the Slayer-infused craze that is “Pay With Your Blood” kicks the album off on a very high note, soon after the band starts to bounce back and forth a bit between kicking ass and just managing to get the job done. “Kill Without Remorse” and “Thrash Metal” are definitely tied to the stronger side of the coin, playing up the aggression factor and actually seeming to one-up some of the 80s Teutonic classics in how hard they hit the ears. By contrast, “Alcoholic Metal” gets a bit too hokey and almost morphs into a pop punk song at times, while a couple others such as “Sardinian Beer” are clear thrashers, yet tend to fade in with the rest of the high speed fury.

This is definitely among the purer examples of an Italian revivalist outfit actually sticking to the basic tenets of the style rather than going modern or attempting at a quirky middle ground between melodic metal and classic thrash, but it definitely could stand to have a bit more variety. It’s fast enough to stand toe to toe with much of the red, German influence thrash coming out of Greece lately, but is just slightly behind the curve when it comes to distinctiveness and memorable moments. It’s worth tracking down, but the field out there is definitely getting crowded and a lot of the other competitors are coming off as far hungrier.

Later submitted to (www.metal-observer.com) on August 27, 2012.

Sweat that alcohol out of your body now! - 77%

Lane, January 11th, 2012

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're thinking 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 that ripping guitar tone and that 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!

(originally written for ArchaicMetallurgy.com in 2009)

Alkoholik Metal - 77%

ponyovdoom, June 30th, 2011

Alkoholizer are a four-piece thrash metal band from Sardinia, Italy. They've been around since 2006 and are now out (or were, back in 2009) with their debut album. This is a pretty decent debut, I do see some potential though. As in many thrash metal bands the music fast and aggressive, and that's also the case here. The highlight of this album is definitely guitarist Marco Lai putting out some really great riffs and solos, I even thought there was a second guitarist, but no. "Sardinian Beer" probably has one of my favorite riffs of this new wave of thrash metal.

The bass is at times audible, for instance in "Pay With Your Blood" but pretty decent in general, but that is usually the case in thrash metal. The drumming is also pretty decent, I'd say the focus is mostly on the amazing guitar performance and Alessandro Lucariellos vocals. The vocals are alright, they could have been better but also much worse. What pops into my mind if I was to compare him is the singer of other new wave thrash band, Warbringer, just more clearer and less aggressive. He doesn't have much range in his vocals, only going high in some choruses such as in the song "Alkoholik Metal".

The lyrics are mainly about alcohol, some choruses are pretty catchy, that includes "Alkoholik Metal" and "Sardinian Beer" which goes along with the fantastic riffing. But again, guitarist Marco Lai is in my opinion the highlight of this album. I'm looking forward to hear more from this guy. If you are interested in thrash metal, some fun or great riffing check out this album. Alkoholizer is a band to check out from the new wave of thrash.

Trying to bring back the early days of thrash - 40%

twan666, March 24th, 2010

Alkoholizer are a thrash metal band from Italy born to create down and dirty music in the vein of Slayer, Metallica, and Darkthrone. Expect a lot of chord riffs here with simple drumming and vocals that sound like a Slayer project in conjunction with Children of Bodom. Sadly, Drunk or Dead doesn't really live up to either of these titans. The music is catchy, but for some reason can't be taken seriously. Considering that all the musical structure sounds like it was taken from the Slayer album, God Hates It All, it's very had to view Alkoholizer as their own entity or just pure Slayer worship. The drumming, the guitars, even the vocals all mirror that of Slayer with a few Metallica solos and the recent punk-biting lyrics that Darkthrone have come up with. This is one of those albums where once you listen to one song, you've pretty much heard them all.

Sure there's a few good solos here and there, like on "Age of Misery" and "Resuscitate," but its mostly just a thrash hook filled album with songs that either reflect violence or poorly directed humor. Many of the songs are brief due to uninspiring beginnings, such as the likes of "Sick Orthopedic." Half the song is wasted on a muddled introduction of someone saying something amongst doing something else (either puking or dying). While it's a creepy intro, it doesn't really have a good effect for thrash metal where fans expect things more in your face, with a bit of varaition. Hence, pitfall number two. A lot of Alkohoilzer's songs sound the same and whatever enjoyable rock riffs is heard on the opening track is lost upon the listener. Basically, it's like a bad porno. Sure, people like watching sex, but eventually after about five minutes of seeing someone done missionary style, they're going to want a change in positions or turn the whole thing off. Drunk or Dead might have been a lot better had the band thrown in some variation in musical structure between songs, something their apparent Gods Slayer and Metallica learned to do in order to have more creative albums.

Alkoholizer may seem inspring and awesome at first, but listeners may feel it fall short once it starts getting repetitive. In a world where there's a lot of copycat bands, Alkoholizer has certainly become one of them. Sure, it sounds like they're trying to bring back the early days of thrash where things were gritty, riff inspired fun and being repetitively catchy was the name of the game, but now apparently the times have called for something more. If you don't mind crunchy, catchy songs that sound all the same with monotone-scream vocals that sound like a much more mature band you probably already have, then go ahead and give this a shot. However, if you're like the other half of the field who would take that more mature band and spin their discs a hundred times over a band that sounds just like them but falls short in the way of playing to their level, ignore Drunk or Dead for now. Perhaps the next album will be better and more varied while still maintaining that gritty thrash sound.

Written for www.brutalism.com

Tell me if you've heard this one before... - 65%

autothrall, November 20th, 2009

Drunk or Dead... is the debut from Italians Alkholizer, and if their name (and the album's title) is not already apparent, they play a brand of alcoholic thrash metal with many of the stereotypes you've been bombarded with in the past few years. Their style is very heavily influenced by the German pioneers such as Sodom, Destruction and especially Tankard, who they most resemble lyrically. The vocals of Alessandro resemble a hybrid of Gerre and Tom Angelripper, and the band plays forcefully, which a lot of other drunk thrashers of late do not.

It's this aggressive riffing that saves the album from being a waste, and the fact that not every song is about getting drunk and 'thrash' itself. Sure, it has songs called "Thrash Metal", "Drinking Till Death", and "Alcoholic Metal", and this has been done to death (and better), showing very little of a creative side. But as far as just a bunch of guys having fun and revisiting the 80s, some of the songs deliver. The wild "Sardinian Beer" has some intense thrash akin to later Tankard, and the hyper "Age of Misery" reminds me of that band's earlier speed (ala The Morning After). "Kill Without Remorse" and "Thrash Metal" are also loaded with volleys of street ready speed and thick palm-muting frenzy.

The album sounds quite thick, and the meaty chops, distorted driving bass and tireless drums all converge successfully below the vocals. This is another of those bands in which the vocalist will start screaming for no necessary, but at least the majority of the vox are solid. It is unlikely I would ever reach for this album over one of their influences, but the music is not bad, and fans of the retro scene who are obsessing over every tired trope of the past will find sustenance here, for at least the album offers a boot up your ass.

Highlights: Sardinian Beer, Age of Misery, Thrash Metal

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com