DEAD METAL

Memoriam have been featured a number of times previously . Requiem For Mankind is the British band's third album, in as many years. As with the others in this trilogy it is brought to us by Nuclear Blast, with artwork coming from the excellent Dan Seagrave. It has never felt like anyone has been going through the motions, though, and all of the hard work has certainly paid off here again. Fans of the first two records will not be disappointed, and Bolt Thrower  fans shouldn't be either. Killer riffs, powerful vocals, great drumming... it's probably the best one yet. You can listen to the opening track below, and purchase it here . Here's hoping that these guys carry on and do more.

New Jersey's Crush The Altar have produced a powerful first demo. Abhorrent Oblation is sixteen minutes (three tracks) of old school-style death-thrash. On the death metal side of things there are hints of  Morbid Angel  and  Vader , and on the thrash metal side there are  Sodom  and  Sepultura  influences. The net result is an offering which could be filed next to bands such as  Captor ,  Krabathor  and  Agretator . Originally self-released digitally in March, it has now been picked up (and is being given the cassette treatment) by Redefining Darkness. These guys only formed last year, and their debut shows more than promise. You can preview the EP below, and acquire it  here .

You can read about the most recent Sodom releases here . This post focuses on the sophomore full-length, released on Steamhammer in 1987. Persecution Mania can take a few listens to really get into, leading to it often being overshadowed by its more-accessible successor (Agent Orange, 1989). But make no mistake - this is a gritty, brutal, stone cold thrash metal classic. Leaps and bounds beyond the band's previous works, in technical terms at least, it stands more-than-comfortably alongside efforts from any of their contemporaries around this time. A CD copy is particularly recommended, as it will likely include the Expurse Of Sodomy EP as a bonus; along with a re-recording of Outbreak Of Evil. The album can be heard below, and you can pick up a copy  here . P.S. Watch this space for more Sodom album posts - Agent Orange, Better Off Dead, Tapping The Vein, M-16, Sodom... this is a band with some excellent albums!