METAL HAMMER MAGAZINE

A nostalgic reader asked The Haunted in a recent Hammer if the band which made their masterpiece, The Haunted Made Me Do It, would be coming back soon. The Swedes laughed it off, but it's their loss, because fast, crisply-produced thrash metal is alive and well in the hands of Blood Tsunami, and quite frankly there's no reason to go anywhere else for your thrash fix.
The Norwegian quartet, featuring ex-Emperor/Aborym drummer Baard 'Faust' Eithun, have created a blistering debut album – note the statement-of-intent title. Sure, there's Mastodon-style progressive riffage and slowed-down heavy stuff here, but Blood Tsunami have remembered one simple fact – that the fans like their metal fast, which is what brought us to the pages of Subterranea in the first place. More power to Blood Tsunami. Let's have another killer album like Thrash Metal in 2008.
JOEL McIVER [8/10]
Metal Hammer

KERRANG MAGZINE

Um, look at the title...

You really would have to be a total bonehead not to guess exactly what Blood Tsunami deal in. But if the title's not enough of a clue for you, here's a little bit of help: take the raw fury of the '80s thrashers Kreator, the hummability of metal titans Testament, and then recruit the drumming talents of ex-Emperor tub-beater Faust to ensure a suitable Linford Christie lightning pace. The result is, as you might expect, a total riot of unstoppable pedal-to-the-metal old school thrash metal mayhem. If you love thrash as much as Blood Tsunami so obviously do, the only bad point about "Thrash Metal" is that it doesn't come on a knackered old home recorded TDK-C90.
NICK RUSKELL

KKKK

Kerrang

TERRORIZER MAGAZINE
Review by: Guy Strachan

Ever notice in the deluge of MTV bands who are nothing but style over substance, whose musical abilities are buried deep beneath layer after layer of gloss, shine and polish, that on the very rare occasion that an original thrash clip appears the perpetrators both look and sound like they're on weekend release by comparison? Elements such as youthful exuberance and passion overriding ability seem to be reasons to be dropped like a hot brick these days. There was a time when such facets were a major plus and for those who still hanker after those days, here's 2007's salvation.
Winning the mantle of "most obviously-titled album of all time", instead of offering up one or two reference points, Blood Tsunami take the genre as a whole, digest it and spit it all out. While Kreator (aggression) and Testament (melody) are the obvious reference points, "Thrash Metal" offers a series of threatening savageries that capture the all-out feel and sound of the era well but with a diversity and strength that lifts them up and away from the reinventing-the-wheel crowd. If only "St Anger" could have come close to this... (8/10)

LAMBGOAT
Review by Ash Levitt

Of all the subgenres of metal, thrash has to be the most widely copied. Perhaps this is because of the straight ahead, up tempo style it invokes; or perhaps it's simply because it's been around relatively longer (i.e., early 80's) than many of the newer metal offshoots. Either way, what is a new thrash band going to do that hasn't already been done? Maybe that's the wrong approach to take. Instead, maybe we should just take it for what it is in context: a continuation of a musical lineage that isn't supposed to reinvent the wheel but rather use the existing formula while adding detailed touches that keep the wheel moving. If this is the goal, then Blood Tsunami have certainly achieved it.

Blood Tsunami makes no bones about what style of metal they play. Similar to Venom's Black Metal album, Blood Tsunami's debut album is simply titled Thrash Metal. If that doesn't tell you what you're getting into with this album (along with the most homoerotic dark fantasy cover art I've seen since the drawings in that creepy kid's notebook in high school), then you're certainly not familiar with metal. The material found on this release is certainly true to its name, reminding the listener of the whole gamut of thrash from classics such as Exodus and Slayer to more modern takes on the genre like the Haunted and Darkest Hour. In that sense, Blood Tsunami doesn't stray too far from the well-worn thrash path of fast drumming behind rhythmic, staccato, harmonized guitar riffs. In another sense, the band adds some nice, subtle details that are reflective of their own sound. Many songs incorporate a bit of a rock feel to certain parts that can even be termed punk or old school hardcore (complete with sing-along vocals). But don't let me mislead you; these are clearly just minor influences of the musicians and not the basis of Blood Tsunami's sound. The guitar and bass work is beautifully melodic at times (as is evident in the instrumental track Godbeater), yet harsh and destructive at others. This sound is fronted by shared vocal duties that combine a harsh, almost black metal-styled scream, with deep growls (akin to the Black Dahlia Murder's vocals). Finally, the drumming is a standout element on Thrash Metal. Similar to his recent work in Scum, Bard Eithun's percussive contributions involve tasteful, precise drumming that does a fine job of changing tempos and feels.

Bottom Line: This is thrash, plain and simple. You should know what that means and you should know whether you like it. While there is the occasional riff on Thrash Metal that seems like it's been done before, any listener of any genre of music for any significant length of time should understand that that is partly unavoidable. At the same time, however, Blood Tsunami does an excellent job with this style and puts enough of their own stamp on it to warrant listening and excitement for the band's future.
(7/10)

WHORES OF CHAOS
By: Scarlet

Ragnarök! Blood Tsunami takes no prisoners on this thrashing hellride!
Rapidly gaining speed while increasing in massive proportion, this
raging storm began brewing somewhere around the North Sea circa
2003. The fearsome foursome later signed away their blackened souls
and firstborn to Nocturnal Art Productions in 2006.
Their winning formula is basically a mix of brutal German style and
dirty 80's style Bay Area thrash with undertones of heavy metal of olde
coming through the guitars. On a more subtle level, there are some 70's
heavy molten protometal guitar moments and some Swedish death
metal elements lurking in the background growls and riffs.
All the while, the uniqueness of overall sound is further enhanced by
gusts of telltale Norwegian blakk frost as it gets blasted all over
every track, courtesy of the infamous drumming überbeast Faust.
These four separate musicians meld into one very tight metal unit
for the duration of this release which must also be incredible to hear
'live'. Pete's vox has that reptilian hissing and snarling quality of
Pat Lind's together with the tortured intensity of Mille Petrozza.
In fact all of the vocals work extremely well over this particular brand
of thrash as they're raked over the coals during the process of the
killer production. The track titles accurately convey the aggression of
this release as well as serving as an indication of the band's
philosophy and direction.

Highly recommended to fans of both old school thrash metal and to all
eclectic metalheads, hard rockers and punkrockers. Band influences:
early Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Metallica, Destruction and Kreator.

Having named the band 'Blood Tsunami' was indeed a foreboding,
as this was done before the disaster struck South East Asia in 2004.

HEATHEN HARVEST
By: Lord Lycan

I already know what you're thinking. "Wow, what a creative album title." While we all know its not too incredibly creative, one must ponder that the band probably felt the need to call the album this due to the fact several of the members kind of look like your run of the mill -core kids. However, -core is certainly nowhere to be found on this release. This is Destruction if they had slightly more Gothenburg influences and more of an extreme appeal to their music. It's kind of different to see music like this bleeding from the veins of the cold Norse north, but I suppose even some good thrash metal was bound to evolve from their snowy timbers at some point. It is also noteworthy to mention that their drummer is none other than the infamous Faust of Emperor and Aborym.

The vocals resemble those found on Omnium Gatherum's first album, with vocal lines usually ending in an inaudible held out scream that normally hits a really off note. The music is about as aggressive as nowadays thrash metal comes, destroying any new opposition with creative and blasting riffs that would make any old school German-scene fan blow his top. Thrash Metal is also filled with enough melodic guitar wankery to give any Gotheburg enthusiast a pure metallic hardon. Faust's drumming hardly needs mentioning as the man is a fucking machine. Every album of every project he puts out is flawless in the sense of percussion, and I have a feeling that it will continue to be this way until he bites Satan's big bullet.

The other big factor setting this album apart from the rest: Speed. While the speed is consistently uptempo and blasting, Blood Tsunami doesn't take it so fast that the music loses all melodic and harmonic intricacies, and, if anything, have found nearly the perfect speed for such music. Tracks like Infernal Final Carnage feature some of the best verse lines into solos that I have heard in quite some time from metal in general, and its good to see that the art of guitar solos have not been lost completely to the young guys. So often I hear bitching about "we don't allow that guitar wankery in our band because its just showoff bullshit". Well fuck you Mortiis. Tell the world the truth. You don't allow guitar wankery in your band because you're an egotistical fucktwit and because no one you'd deal with is talented enough to pull off solos this good. Yes, the guitar work on Thrash Metal is good enough to make me rant about how much of a waste of life Mortiis is. Good promotion, no?

Blood Tsunami's "Thrash Metal" is one of the best thrash metal albums to hit the streets in quite some time. This is another masterpiece put out by Candlelight Records, and if you are still in love with heavy, bone crushing, baby decapitating metal, then I would suggest you get your grimy hands on this fantastic showing of musicianship stat. I don't believe this album will be going out of print anytime soon, but better safe than sorry as they always say. This is definitely one to buy. Did I mention the album cover kicks ass?

METAL FANATIX
As the title of the disc may imply, "Thrash Metal" is a heavy bout of thrash. After you hear this Blood Tsunami disc, you will find it hard to believe this is their debut. The band has only been together since 2004 and with a couple demos under their belt they have crafted this album of lethal proportions. While having thrash and speed metal in their sound you can't help but assume that death and black metal is also involved. Which would make sense since the skillful assault of Bard G. "Faust" Eithun (Scum, Aborym, Bomberos, ex-Emperor) on drums. The guitars hit you with double barrel action of choppy thrash riffs, speed-driven thrash riffs, and groove-driven thrash riffs. They are extremely addicting! For vox Blood Tsunami has a screaming/yelling death-thrash type, almost Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates) style vocals. Topping off this effort are the shredding solos reminiscent of Kirk Hammett. When hearing this creation you can't help thinking of bands like Slayer, Old Metallica, Sodom, Entombed, Testament, At The Gates, The Haunted, In Flames, etc. Of the eight tracks and forty-three minutes "Infernal Final Carnage" is one of the best tracks and "Godbeater," is an awesome thrash instrumental of about ten minutes in length. Kind of reminds me of Metallica's "To Live Is To Die." In closing, this is one Tsunami that you want to get swept away by…

HARDCORE SOUNDS
By Wade The Blade

Their name suggests the list of creative monikers has run out. But if you can get past Blood Tsunami's epithet, you'll hear a deadly accurate sound on their debut full-length that harkens back to one of metal's grandest movements.

"Thrash Metal" may be one of the most accurate titles given a CD this year. Blood Tsunami plays exactly that, in utter faithfulness to the bands that spawned the sound back in the 1980s. "Thrash Metal" definitively proves not all music from that decade was bad.

Bassist Bosse and drummer Bard "Faust" Eithun (formerly of Emperor) lead a gruff, battering undertow that's coupled with squealing solos by guitarists Pete and Dor. It's rounded out by Faust's bludgeoning beats and Pete's rabid vocal delivery.

It's a solid, shifting onslaught that, for 43 minutes, doesn't relent and doesn't bother with any ambience for contrast. Even the 10-minute instrumental "Godbeater," which does slow the tempo somewhat, still scares the soul like a classic Metallica workout.

"Thrash Metal" feels like it's dropping at the right time, when so many metal bands are desperately trying anything for an identity of their own. There's no gimmickery with Blood Tsunami – no techno chaos, no studio chicanery, no dudes with moppy hair wearing girls' jeans. Just straight-up feral thrash done right. And Blood Tsunami is assuring this unholy sound lives on properly.

SOUND EMISSIONS

C'mon, you gotta love a band that wallows in its thrash imagery. As if the band's name wasn't enough, we have titles like "Godbeater," "Infernal Final Carnage," and "Rampage of Revenge," to bring it all back home. Norwegian thrash featuring Bard Eithun from Emperor evokes the powers of darkness and gay leather club fashion to kick it metal like mother used to make. While the clichés are high and mighty, the record is saved by the gritty beast of a rhythm section, and by the sheets of shredding guitar. Candlelight releases so many metal records every month that it is hard to keep up with them; while there are a few duds in the pile, this is not one of them. BT threaten to jump the shark, but in the end they just stomp on it righteously.

PEACEDOGMAN

An impressive stab at classic thrash!

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.

By: David E. Gehlke


Just like the title says, Blood Tsunami plays metal of the thrash variety. Featuring former Emperor drummer Bard Faust and employing a rash of spiky, punky riffs and vocalist Pete's (no last name, apparently) decidedly black metal vocals, Blood Tsunami appear to be a bit of an anomaly, something we'll try to dissect now . . .

Thrash as a sub-genre is sometimes hard to pin down, as you have the German-inspired variety (Kreator, Sodom), American (Exodus, Testament) and the modern-day brand (Lyzanxia, Municipal Waste). Blood Tsunami is Norwegian, and its sound is surprisingly melodic, yet is full of the punky aggression that helped jump-start the movement in the first place. Therefore, Blood Tsunami falls into the modern thrash category since its sound combines elements new and old.

As for "Thrash Metal," there are several moments of interest, namely the roundabout riffing in the mid-section of "Let Blood Rain" and the chunky "Devoured By Flames." "Godbeater" deserves mention for its name alone and the fact that it's an adventurous, complex instrumental with a never-ending string of quality, melodically competent riffs.

A very solid and interesting debut, "Thrash Metal" has captivated us with its bevy of authoritative riffs and melodically pleasing guitar lines. This isn't your mother's thrash but man, this is some deadly stuff. Highly recommended.

LIVE METAL
By RYAN MAVITY

This may be the first time I've ever based a good review on a band name, the names of the band members themselves, the album and the song titles.

Oh, the music is good. It is solid thrash metal played exactly the way you want it played. Blood Tsunami is loud, fast and aggressive, and it's nice to see their commitment to old school thrash styles. There are echoes of Slayer, Megadeth, and Kill 'Em All-era Metallica. Blood Tsunami plays a sort of hybrid of those styles. There are fast tempos like Slayer, but there are also some intricate song structures here. Blood Tsunami reveals that while they can certainly rock out with the best of them, they're no one trick pony, (see the seven-minute instrumental "Godbeater"). While Thrash Metal has a good deal of the elements of old school thrash, the album does a good job of incorporating them, instead of merely recycling them. Vocalist Pete Evil has a voice suited to this kind of music, it's a high, raspy thing that sounds like it comes out of the flames of hell.

With that said, I must say that the name Blood Tsunami? Very nice. Calling the album by the exact genre in which you play? Even better. Songs with titles like "Rampage of Revenge," "Infernal Final Carnage," "Devoured by Flames," "Godbeater" and "Killing Spree"? Awesome. And with band members named Pete Evil (guitar and vocals), Dor (guitar), Bosse (bass/backing vocals) and Faust (drums), they sound like the droogs from A Clockwork Orange.

All told, Thrash Metal is a tight, rock solid debut. This is the kind of album that might be best experienced one of two ways: live or in your car on a long trip. Finally, it's nice to see a band from Norway that doesn't wear pancake makeup or play doom metal. High five
Live Metal

HARDROCK HAVEN

By Matthew Hoffman

Comments: Best album cover in at least 20 years -- great way to start a thrash metal bonanza. It features a drawing of a Skeletor on steroids faceless anti-hero that plans on conquering more than the pile of bones he straddles.

Blood Tsunami brings forth a simple to the point album title so that no one is confused. It is called Thrash Metal. And as dumb as that seems, after you receive the tidal wave of just that, you will see why they chose not to mince words.
From Norway, this new outfit is centered on pure passion and overwhelming domination. There are all the elements here of modern thrash metal. Great death vocals, eleaborate guitar leads and solo work and thunderous drumming. Fans of old Bay Area classic legendary bands like Testament and Slayer, these guys do their heroes mad justice.

For the fans that like their metal with a bit o' Tokyo Drift, there is plenty of speed. Take the cut "Killing Spree" where the guitars are mach three, the drums on crack cocaine and the vocals extra vicious. The modern band that they most resemble is Hatesphere, though they also have an Exodus feel, though Pete Evil's vocals are more eerie and vicious than Rob Dukes.

The guitar work of Evil and Dor Amazon is scary good and immediately jumps the duo into the stratosphere of elite axe tandems. This is quite a statement, but once you hear this record you will realize the accuracy of it. The skin beating is left up to Faust (Zyklon, Emperor, Aborym) and it is terrific.

After numerous lineup changes, finally this CD was recorded in Lion Heart studios in Oslo last year. And the production levels are top shelf. This band screams "vicious" and solos like the speedy high pitched ride in "Rampage of Revenge" show their commitment to more then brutality with technical expertise within the musicality as well.

On this album one track after another benefit from ferocious guitar leads, boundless levels of energy and the respect for the genres forefathers.

Though many records have jumped out early this belongs in the discussion of Albums of the Year. America, this should be mandatory listening for boys and girls in Kindergarten. Shit, why not try it? Nothing else seems to be working, and this record is spectacular.

MINACIOUS

Wow, what a cover. A Metal warrior with a hood an cloak, standing on a pile of demon, zombie corpses, ready to do battle with an over sized scythe and a morning star.
This is an Norwegian band that has been around since 2004, this is their debut album, they have also released one demo. With an album title like "Thrash Metal" there shouldn't be any question what kind of music Blood Tsunami plays. And this is not some "new" Thrash Metal like The Haunted, nor is it melodic Death/Thrash like At the Gates, this is pure old school Thrash Metal madness. A style that over the past few years have had a revival of sorts, there have been popping up a lot of bands lately playing old school Thrash Metal and Blood Tsunami is definitely one of the better I have heard. They have taken inspiration from both the American scene (with emphasis on Slayer) combined with a heavy dose of German Thrash Metal (with emphasis on Kreator). All is of highest quality, the song writing and arrangements, the musicianship is really impressive. This is not plagiarism, sure there are some riffs here and there that feel a little bit too familiar but overall this recording feels fresh and at the same time it feels like it was recorded in the mid-eighties. A nice surprise was the ten minute instrumental song, really great track. This is for all who is looking for something to listen in-between the "Pleasure to Kill"-, "Show No Mercy"-, "Reign in Blood" and "Infernal Overkill"-marathon listening sessions.

DEADTIDE


If you're a metalhead, and more specifically, as a metalhead who can't get enough thrash, you know exactly what I mean when I say that there are albums out there that just make you want to pound shots, fuck anything that moves, drive waaaaaay too fast, and kill all in your way (not necessarily in that order). Because when a great thrash band gets their shit right, the music grabs you by the nuts and lodges itself in the pit of your belly until you do something stupid and violent. Right now you're probably thinking about the way Reign in Blood or Slaughter of the Soul make you feel every goddamn time they hit the speakers.

Norway's Blood Tsunami just debuted with an album very boldly titled Thrash Metal. Featuring Faust (ex-Emperor, ex-con) on drums as well as the three axemen of the apocalypse (Pete, Dor and Bosse), this quartet are about to rearrange the way you think of thrash. Pulling influences from Slayer and the German thrash scene of the 90s and adding a dose of At the Gates in the riff department and the occasional old-school heavy metal gallop, the result is none other than the title suggests: 100% top quality thrash metal. Every riff and lead is smart and all too addictive, the drumming is plenty fast but not overpowering, and the vocals are blackened, boiling death seethed and poured over some truly fine musical mastery.

The melody lines on "Devoured by Flames" are ingenious, while the galloping pace of "Infernal Final Carnage" that makes me think of 3 Inches of Blood is almost enough to make it the best track on the disc. That honor, however, goes to the ten-minute instrumental "Godbeater." The idea of a lengthy interlude as the second to last track doesn't seem that bright on a go-for-the-throat thrash album until you hear the damn thing. It's got the album's most creative guitarwork, best riffs, and manages to sound as much like early Bay Area as it does Kyuss…best experienced with a cold beer while receiving a luxurious blow job.

All told, this is the finest piece of thrash metal released in recent years. Slayer might have sounded like Blood Tsunami if they'd continued along the path they started down on Seasons in the Abyss. You want a piece of this action, trust me.

Standout Tracks: Every last motherfucking one of them!
Peter Johnston

NOCTURNAL HALL

More or less from out of nowhere BLOOD TSUNAMI roar everything down with their thrash metal which stands against them. And with Thrash Metal this great record is entitled perfectly. With Evil Unleashed they start straight ahead and without scroll. Really dirty vocals scream over the solid weaved rhythm-carpet; one man takes part that is well known especially within the international black metal scene: Bard "Faust" Eithun! His performance on Emperor's In The Nightside Eclipse album has been already great. But his drumming on Thrash Metal is simply brilliant. Just listen to Rampage Of Revenge. Faust does the groundwork, and then pounding guitars are added to this, mixed with a catchy melody. The aggressive vocals complete all to a solid unit then. The same goes for the following Infernal Final Carnage. Here we just have to add the fact that there are some fucking great breaks. Unbelievable! Highlight is the ten minutes instrumental Godbeater. Godly I would like to say! The altogether eight tracks are supported by one of the best thrash metal productions I've heard over the last few years. Welcome to the scene, BLOOD TSUNAMI!

METAL COVENANT

Forward into battle, let the killing spree commence! The violent force of evil has been unleashed. Prepare to face the Slayer in this metal storm and Blood Tsunami. The homicidal waves are breaking as the winds of vengeance and wrath howl over the raging waters of the possessed. The call of violence and force recon resounds the charge. The troops of doom, hungry for blood, lead us into the infernal final carnage, where there is no return. Fly high the flag of hate over the walls of steel, and pray for death, lest you be torn apart by the Thrash Metal insanity.

Blood Tsunami testify to metal. This is where Norway's legend began. This fevered four piece have made the ultimate sacrifice to play Thrash Metal. This is a sincere metalmorphosis from the standard black metal of Lucifer's heritage. Blood Tsunami will take you on one hell of a ride to Asa Bay area influence with their rampage of revenge. Your mind and soul will be devoured in flames of anger and rage.

Blood Tsunami nominate and savour the speed directly descendant of the Assassin of Germany - who is truly the Kreator of Destruction. They are equally tapping the vein of the bemused Mayhem, their native commrades. It should also be noted that they tend to idolize that dark angle of decadence, by celebrating the moribund dance, and the forbidden heathenish foray, from the shores of the Pacific.

When my copy of Thrash Metal arrived, I instantly noticed the graphic artwork and title. I thought perhaps they might sound like Sacred Steel, or even Majesty. This is not the case, but they are definitely Thrash Metal! They sound the Southern Florida Death knell, as well as hold reverence, waving the banner of belligerence for Lady Britania. I hear the shattered existence of Xentrix, ribald reactions to Re-Animator, and penitential Slammer riffage. Even moreso, I hear the highly underappreciated and oft times overlooked Virus and English Dogs. This makes perfect sense as the brothers bonded, vie in Blood Tsunami, to emulate their icons of speed. They also have their roots in punk, which is evidenced by homage to early Onslaught, or GBH and Discharge.

Actually, the more I play Thrash Metal the more I'm reminded of the extremely rare Combat Records release for Virus - Force Recon. This sounds so much like that album with an early English Dogs' bite; although, the production is more pronounced and updated. Every song is intense and quixotic. My favourite is the insturmental Godbeater - which is so similar to Brainstorm by English Dogs.

The intrepid inclusion of Bard Faust Eithun (Ex Emperor) on drums, sets the pace for a heart racing impulse; and Faust ensures that the Blood Tsunami reign! The guitar retaliatory strike between Pete Evil and Dor Amazon rides the lightning blitz creedence; balanced by bassist Bosse and his disgruntled vociferage.

The only downside to this CD is that Pete has a screaming grind disposition better suited for Black Metal repose. His inchoate elucidations nullify the clarity, making it difficult to decipher his graven utterances. Otherwise, Thrash Metal is essential for all fans of 80's aggression, and even for newer pretenders to the throne like - The Haunted. Spill the blood over me, and let the brood reign!

APESHIT webzine


Often times, you never know what you're gonna get when you buy an album from a band you really don't know much about. However, BLOOD TSUNAMI clearly make their intentions known via their band name, album title, and cover artwork. These Norwegians say what they mean and mean what they say. Thrash Metal is pure, ugly, aggressive old school thrash metal. BLOOD TSUNAMI waste no time as they rip through the songs with a fine variety of prime riffing at a high speed pace. Though the band's line-up may be most notable for vocalist guitarist Pete Evil (host of MTV Nordic's Headbangers Ball show) and drummer Faust (ABORYM, SCUM, ex-EMPEROR), the hearty contributions of guitarist Dor Amazon and bassist Bosse should not be overlooked. The band mix things up in terms of giving their songs good individual character so as to not become a monotonous blur. However, the biggest strength of BLOOD TSUNAMI is their ability to conjure up that true spirit and energy that made classic thrash metal so great and exciting to listen to. While the album progresses at a fireball's pace, averaging around five minutes in length, the titantic "Godbeater" slows things down a tad and really takes the album to new places. The 10:02 instrumental is a journey filled with twists and turns on a grander level, almost like the way MAIDEN and METALLICA would get epic. There's even a riff that easily could have been on SABBATH's Vol. 4. While Thrash Metal may be BLOOD TSUNAMI's debut album, they sound like seasoned veterans. Aren't those the best kind of debut album? (Candlelight Records/Nocturnal Art Productions)

"Thrash Metal"

NAP/ Candlelight Records

Blood Tsunami has quietly been building a name for themselves but for the time being they are probably going to get most of their notoriety around the fact that Bard Faust is drumming in their ranks, but that is doing a disservice to such a dynamic and skilled band.

These guys write some killer thrash oriented metal that bases its sound around the chunkier and more bombastic riffs of the Bay Area scene rather than the more violent thrash of the German scene. They also manage to incorporate some melodic elements into their music without sounding like a metalcore clone of the Gothenburg bands that are flooding and diluting the market.

One of the main ways that these guys manage to separate themselves from a lot of their contemporaries is their use of meatier riffs that chug along in the mid-tempo range rather than the thin and speedy riffs that too many of their peers over-utilize. A great example of the aforementioned riffing is on my favorite track Infernal Final Carnage with its stomping mayhem and melodic leads spiraling out of control over everything while Pete Evil's vocals harshly evoke their metallic rhetoric. But for me to call Infernal Final Carnage my favorite is really separating hairs because all the music here are strong and the song writing is top notch.

So many different riffs get stuck in my head and each song successfully replaces the former as its coils unwind in my ears. I find myself shaking my fist in the air in anger and aggression as I am listening to his album and wishing I was seeing this live as their would be some serious pit violence. These songs are truly constructed around the live environment and I am sure they have been honed to perfection in that atmosphere with the audience in mind. The real death metal influence would have to be centered around the vocal attack.

The production is so thick that each element of the band is like a flesh covered anvil, solid yet organic sounding. Blood Tsunami has crafted an album full of energy and bursting with head-banging, foot-stomping destruction. Thrash Metal is a perfect melding of classic era metal with modern sensibilities. It saddens me that I will be in Qatar when they come through London on their tour with Zyklon.