Absolutely ferocious comeback album from the pioneers of melodic death metal. “Thrasher’s Abattoir” finds Carcass picking up right where they left off.
Sweden’s black metal hellions Watain have been on a fearsome tear. The Wild Hunt finds them expanding their ambition with ballads and other left turns.
This was always going to be a comedown album. After their career-defining moment, 2010’s Meridional, the smart money was that the follow-up would be pared-down.
Distant, echoey vocal roar (punctuated by Gandalfian spoken bits), but there’re no real vocal dynamics like the latest Finntroll and Korpiklaani releases.
Thrash metal, pure and simple. Battlecross wastes no time ripping your face off with polka beats and riffs in thirds (Slayer, Dark Angel, everyone since).