One look at this cover art and you're probably thinking, "They're reviewing more senseless thrash metal." Of course we are! The torture never stops around here. This time, we've got a real barn burner. Norway's BLOOD TSUNAMI do all those things you like on this hard-charging debut. The band avoids much of the artificial-sounding click 'n bass drum tomfoolery that plagues the genre in favor of hair-raising speed solos and lots of cymbal-bashing old-school witchery. They even recall DESTRUCTION's finest early moments at times.

Choice cuts include the near-perfect KREATOR worship of "Devoured by Flames", as well as "Torn Apart", sounding like most of your favorite bands from the hallowed Noise label rolled into one. The bridge in that one is a particular high point, switching instantly from German thrash sounds to moshy SF Bay-era approximation of "Raining Blood". Signs of calculated quality abound, like the hard-panned machine-gun riffage that opens "Rampage of Revenge", as well as the sinister Mille Petrozza-inspired scream three minutes in. Only the somewhat tedious instrumental "Godbeater" will have you looking at your watch. All in all, a very promising debut from an aggressive, young band wearing its influences proudly like a badge of honor.

-Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.bloodtsunami.com

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