These tulip-pickers got something going (despite having a band name that sounds like a third string character in a Conan comic). Sure they look like they should be smoking in the courtyard before heading off to shop class, but the only thing smokin is this disc. THANATOS plays some grade-A thrash metal that sounds like AGATHOCLES doing SLAYER covers. They say "death metal", but regardless of labels used to push units this is indeed a ripper. Aside from the dual vocals being set to either speaker, the production is solid and several tracks reminded me of "Reign In Blood", which I know is usually like saying a hardcore band sounds like NEGATIVE APPROACH or a grind band sounds like NAPALM DEATH, but this is actually accurate. It's "Reign" crossed with "Wolverine Blues" by ENTOMBED with some later NAPALM DEATH influence. It's even light on the guitar-hero histrionics so the headbangers and slammers can dig it equally.

It's a shot of speed to the eye, a dose of total mayhem in an age where the thrash of metal has been replaced with either a boring quest for speed or the quest for the hottest licks (which is equally dull). Sure, I've had a lousy holiday but this was a nice treat to enjoy. Maybe it's just the fever coming on but this has got to be one of the best metal albums I've heard all year and since I took up reviewing for this site I've heard tons of 'em. More perhaps than I've heard in years. If they had a cooler name that didn't make me feel like a dork saying, "Dude you need to check out this THANATOS disc", I'd be way into it. Now to lay in bed and try to not get sick.

- Two Tub Tony

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thanatos.info

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Servants of Hatred

RELATED ITEMS: Mini-spotlight: THANATOS