ELIMINATION is a three-piece band formed in 2007 in Suffolk, UK. With an initial run from 2007 - 2012 that saw them release two Eps and two full-length albums, they went on hiatus until 2018. Since then, they have worked to return to form and have just released "Of Gods And Beasts" independently on August 7, 2020.

The first track is "In The Name Of Violence" a nice, fast-paced song that right off the bat shows the influences the band have. You can hear the KREATOR, DEATH and SLAYER in this song. The frenetic tempo, the hard driving guitars and the bottom end that delivers a pounding rhythm that makes your heart speed up to match the tempo. With just a touch of KING'S X, all three members of the band handle some vocal duties, It is probably best that the bassist handles the leads. I'm not saying what he plays is simple, but it is less complex.

Song #2 is "The Return", another ripper that doesn't dash out of the gate as much as it breaks out of the gate as soon as the starting bell sounds. The guitars never slow down. Leigh Rumsby is either playing a killer riff, some fun little fills or blazing through a solo. He apparently doesn't have a brake. David Hill is in the background, but sounds like he could just as easily stand out front. The bass hums along under the main rhythm. Neil Stevens is not hiding under the guitars so much as he is luring down there, filling out the sound in a way befitting the writing.

"What Have I Done" continues the drive. With a couple of more melodic spots in this tune, there is a different talent shown. Those brief respites from the overall pace give the listener a chance to catch their breath and rest their neck from the next onslaught. Lyrically, all the songs are fairly complex with not much in the way of a chantable chorus, but plenty of anger and violence to hang on to as you vent all your rage and aggression as you pump your fist, air drum/guitar or just jump around your room and love the sounds coming from your device.

These guys would be awesome to see live. I can imagine them being a big hit on the European festival circuit as they warm the crowds up for the bands to follow. Give them a couple more newer albums with this lineup and writing scheme and they could easily climb into the ranks of the middle to top level mainstays. Tours in Europe, South and Central America and Japan could see large crowds with the proper band lineup. I would love to see them tour the US, but the metal world knows Europe is the place to make your name.

These guys are not mainstream and never will be. To me, that will always be part of a bands appeal. As a metalhead, I don't rely on radio for my new music. I get that from my favorite bands touring with up and coming bands from around the world. The US scene is not favorable to metal, especially this type of thrash. The good thing is, the New England area has venues for bands of all sizes and styles to play. That means there is hope I will one day get to see these guys play when they come through!