Stoically serving the thirsty fans nearly every two years since 1986, German Thrash Metal Legends return with a 2014 release, "R.I.B", or "Rest in Beer", continuing one of metal's most robust discographies. Thrash may well be at its purest when talking about anti-system drinking; musically, the album is top of the line, and the production is equally exquisite.

"War Cry" is a brave opening track, storming the scene with a no-frills approach to heavy riffs and locking in a crushing rhythm section. The bass sound is the best I have heard from an album in months, and represents the head of the Warhammer that is this album; a Warhammer that, on this track, takes swing after drunken swing and takes not a single breather. The title track is a catchy piece that takes an anthemic, sing-a-long turn at times. As it pounds on, slight progressive flourishes emerge out of the arrangement, almost unnoticeable behind the commanding vocal attack. The vocals are that which I have come to enjoy about TANKARD, taking a growly, Punk approach to their delivery.

"No One Hit Wonder" might well be my favorite, if not for the cutting-edge riffs, brought to bare in the heavy, "Painkiller"-esque intro. Building on that nascent energy, the track, in its evolution, grows more and more frantic as time goes on. "Clockwork to Deadline" takes me back to the early days of SODOM and the like, with a few SLAYER moments thrown in, and is hypnotic and unforgiving in its heavyness, embellished in a curiously poignant manner with classic, Euro-metal lead work.  Final track "The Party Ain't Over 'Til We Say So" essentially sums up the album, if not the band. 14 albums in 28 years, the party is clearly not over for TANKARD; everything about this track screams (with slurred speech) drunken revelry, executed with excellent musicianship that at least 'appears' recorded in sobriety.

Like their Germanic brothers in RAGE, TANKARD show no signs of slowing down, only adding to their already impressive and consistent repertoire of metal as true veterans.