German Thrash metal band, CRIPPER, are set to release their album 'Hyena' on November 25^th 2014 in Europe and the 25^th November in the US. It will be their fifth studio album since their debut, "Killer Escort Service" which arrived in 2006.

Hyena is a thrill ride to say the least. It is clear from the intricate, impactful guitar riffs that CRIPPER have a lot of skill regarding both their playing style and song structure. You get the impression that each and every song on this album was groomed until it couldn't get any better. The verse, bridge and chorus etc... lead perfectly into one another. For instance, there will be a guitar hook in the chorus that leads into the next verse which has interlinking harmonies. It's incredibly pleasing to the ears.

In terms of sound and feel of the album, it is definitely a reflection of old school thrash metal bands. CRIPPER have in-corporated the melody and aggression of bands like Anthrax and MEGADETH, but also have used punk elements that thrash has been mythologised to exist in Thrash. Punk is evident in songs like 'Pure' where there is a section of fast guitar, base and drum lines made up of that distorted, shady guitar punk songs are known for. However, the grit and echo of European metal is also featured in songs like "Hyena" and "7" ". Although it sounds like there is a flux of different musical influences, which there are to some extent, Hyena is at its core is a thrash metal album.

Not only is the music quality fantastic, but the sound production for an underground metal band is pristine. It is not always the case for an underground metal band to have that good production. You can hear each sound perfectly. Every smash of a symbol, guitar note and base line rings beautifully in the ears rather than the sound going all fuzzy when the base is too deep and so on.

The band have also put a lot of effort into making a limited edition 'fan box' will be available due release. This edition of the album will feature an awesome T-shirt, with some photographs thrown in and there will be a CD-DVD deal going on. Really its collective items that would make any long term CRIPPER fan drool with excitement. The fan box is yet another example of how much CRIPPER are dedicated musicians that they are making music because they love it. They seem like really humble guys who care a lot about their fans and want them to have the best experience consuming CRIPPERS's music.

Ultimately, there isn't anything wrong with this album. The sound quality, the music itself and the aesthetically pleasing art work that features on the front (which is of a wolf and a city scape behind it, done in black and white and made to look like it was drawn in charcoal ) all make the album listening experience enjoyable, more than enjoyable. If you're into thrash metal or the European stuff, then give CRIPPERS's, Hyena a go.