Mortal Sin - Mayhemic Destruction (1986)

[Thrash Metal]

As great of a time as it was in 1986 to be a fan of thrash metal, it always felt slightly untouchable. The titans of the genre like Metallica and Slayer were well established and were playing music that seemed otherworldly - because they were just so far from me geographically. Mortal Sin brought that feeling of isolation to a sudden halt when 'Mayhemic Destruction' started filtering through the underground. Sure, the production was pretty flat (apparently the album was recorded as a demo, but got released to save money) - but this was thrash that was as dark as Slayer and as well-crafted as Metallica, and it was right out of the land down under. Songs like Liar and Lebanon thundered along, the dull lifelessness of the drums actually propelling the songs further into darkness, and Blood Death Hatred and Into The Fire were as good as any U.S. or German act were putting out. And do I smell a whiff of early Death Metal in the title track?

Anthrax - Attack Of The Killer B's (1991)

[Thrash Metal]

One thing I really miss from the early times was E.P.'s/compilations from the early years of Anthrax. We had the Armed And Dangerous E.P. which I could write another review on. Then we had early 90's where the full length Persistence Of Time was released a year earlier. B's was released without any fanfare, but along with some offsprings from Persistence, it contained some darn brilliant covers from the likes of S.O.D., Public Enemy (with no other than Chuck D himself 'bringing the noise'), Kiss, Discharge and Trust. And a new track to not appear anywhere from the boys themselves in 'Starting Up A Posse' (can we call Scott a bona fied lead singer?). Anyway, in summary this release is a heck of a lot of fun, particularly the return to I'm The Man, with new lyrics 5 guys in shorts, who gives a shit YEEEEAAARR!!!!