Skull Hammer - Pay it in Blood

Release Date: September 1st, 2010
Label: Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING

1.  Soldier of Misfortune
2.  I Defy
3.  Pay It In Blood
4.  Balls to the Bone
5.  Nuclear Holocaust
6.  The Gladiator
7.  Blasphemy
8.  Born Evil
9.  Convicted of Conviction
10.  Hit By God

Total playing time: 42:04

December 14, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

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*Comments:

U.S. thrash strikes again in Skull Hammer, a trio from Massachusetts that doesn’t fall into the typical trappings of Exodus, Slayer, Metallica or Anthrax, yet sounds certainly more along the lines of early 90’s underground thrash that doesn’t rely on speed or lame attempts at overly-cerebral lyrics; it’s straight-ahead, somewhat typical thrash metal that causes some head-banging and foot tapping to occur throughout the band’s first effort, Pay it in Blood.

What bands like Hammerfall and current Manowar are missing with their redundant, often comical chant-a-longs are surprisingly fine here in tracks like “Pay it in Blood”. There are no grand fist-pumping anthems here, just stripped-down shouts for like-minded individuals to join in the choruses. With some nice production and solidly-structured songs, Skull Hammer won’t redefine the current umpteenth wave of thrash metal, but there’s good and bad, and these guys are pretty good. The vocals actually remind me of a subdued, yet equally powerful Billy Milano, but don’t let that fool you; in sheer quality we see Milano is covered, but it’s not wanton yelling that is out of tune or repetitive. Rather than have someone clone Tom G. Warrior or Schmier again, which is the running theme these days, Steve McArdle provides a not-as-typical tone to some solid thrashing that will leave you satisfied and even a bit nostalgic. “Nuclear Holocaust” is one of the tunes that call upon the 80’s and its wonderful underground movement that erupted from California back in the day. The speedy riffing and attention to power chord styling make this song one I keep going back to and replaying. Other standouts include “Born Evil”, “The Gladiator”, “I Defy”, and “Hit by God”.

Sometimes you just need a shot of something old to make the new more fulfilling or acceptable. For the million Celtic Frost and Exodus clones we have of late, it’s nice to finally have a band that manages to capture the essences of those bands, yet retains some of its own touches to make an interesting and fun record. The band’s influences are all ingrained into the sound, so revel and enjoy what you have in front of you. If old-school thrash is what you’re currently into or never left behind, check out these guys and support them.