If you have been making music for some 43 years, it must be hard to try and remember how it all started, especially for the fans that were added later in your career. ONSLAUGHT is one of those bands who got by virtually unnoticed due to the rise of the Bay Area and Teutonic Thrash Metal bands that were popping up left, right and centre during the eighties. But they persevered and persisted, resulting in them still being around in 2025. And they decided that it was time to delve into their past and put down some music from their early career. They have named the result “Origins of Aggression” and have opted to put 22 songs on the album. Or should I say double CD release?

The first album of “Origins of Aggression” is filled with 10 songs their own music, all released in their initial 1982-1991 period. Tracks 1, 3, and 4 featured on “Power from Hell” (1985). “Black Horse Of Famine” featured on several demos and compilations albums, but was never professionally recorded. Tracks 5-8 featured on “The Force” (1986). Tracks 9-10 featured on “In Search of Sanity” (1989). And to me it is quite clear that the this was real transition time for ONSLAUGHT, as they changed from a very Heavy Punk band into a rather menacing Thrash Metal force. And as far as I’m concerned, I prefer the more Punk influenced songs, as they have a real sense of urgence and extreme power in them. The Thrash songs are good, just not as impressive. At least, to my ears.

The second album of “Origins of Aggression” is filled with covers. Just look at the track list and the first thing you will see is that there are three songs of DISCHARGE that have made the cut. That explains the very explosive beginnings of the band. To see a song by MOTÖRHEAD (“Iron Fist”) and BLACK SABBATH (“War Pigs”) is not exactly a surprise. What I do like is that they have included the JUDAS PRIEST classic “Freewheel Burning” to their setlist. But, like on the first album, I still favour the Punk songs, as those are fit just that little better into my ears. Altogether ONSLAUGHT is giving us a nice insight to what made them tick in the beginning, making “Origins of Aggression” an almost mandatory release for anyone who either hasn’t followed these guys from the start, or any Thrash Metal enthusiast that is wondering which Punk bands were important to these British Metallers.