After the canonization of Thrash Metal was done in 1986 (due METALLICA’s releasing “Master of Puppets” that is a compendium of what Thrash Metal is and how the genre must sound), on one side was the USA Thrash Metal School (that has a stronger melodic appeal, and remembering that SLAYER is a particular case); on the other was German Thrash Metal School, with emphasis on aggression (without losing the its melodic tack, please). Today, things seem to be a mix between both schools, because the genre became huge and commercially successful throughout the years. And as a fruit of such thing comes “Reqviem for the Opressor”, the third full-length of the Italian Thrash Metal maniacs of XENOS A.D. Giuseppe Taormina (the band’s guitarist) mixed the song, while the mastering was done at Domination Studios by Simone Mularoni (who previously worked with names as BULLDOZER, ANCIENT, ELVENKING, ELDRITCH, LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY, NE OBLIVISCARIS, STORMLORD, LABŸRINTH, TWILIGHT FORCE, NECRODEATH, NANOWAR OF STEEL, VISION DIVINE and others).

The sonority is aggressive and ‘dry’ in some points, but filled with the right balance between definition and distortion, allowing the band’s music to be understood. And the art for the cover of Stan Ivan makes things even more tasteful. The band’s music is a form of Thrash Metal influenced by acts as SODOM on “Agent Orange” days and KREATOR on the age between “Terrible Certainty” and “Coma of Souls”, but it’s easy to check melodic touches inherited from traditional Heavy Metal and even Hard Rock (as heard on some arrangements on “Tears on the Face of God”); at the same side, they can sound aggressive in a way that can reduce ears to shreds without efforts (pay attention on the fast parts of “Crown of Separation”), and even some guitar shreds (on “Welcome the Destroyer” you hear them). In reality, it seems that the trio gather influences without caring from where they come or what they are, just do it and if it fits, it stays. It means that the band’s musical work is spontaneous, unleashes tons of energy and sounds personal. And above all: it’s truly very good.

“Reqviem for the Oppressor” sounds mature, with everything on its due places, without sounding excessive or as something isn’t there, and between the instrumental songs “1986” and “Dance of the Gods” (both with acoustic guitars and some shreds), there are 7 Thrash Metal assaults that surely will earn them a lot of new fans. And hearing to “Dogma of War”, “Tears on the Face of God”, “Crown of Separation”, “Welcome the Destroyer”, “Children of the Atomic Sun”, “The Bleeding Hands of Faith” and “Reqviem for the Oppressor” is a great experience, filled with charming rhythmic shifts (what means that bass guitar and drums creates technical - yet solid - sets of heavy rhythms), seductive guitar riffs and arrangements (and excellent solos plenty of good melodies) and very good aggressive vocals (with normal harsh tunes). Everything works in a very high level of quality, indeed.

All that’s left to say after listening to “Reqviem for the Opressor” is that XENOS A.D. is an excellent name of the younger Thrash Metal acts. Taste their music and become an addicted fan!