In the last 15-20 years, a weird phenomenon started in Metal: this strange mania of trying to reprise music from the past. I was raised as a Metallian in the 80's, when to be different was a demand, and if you're copying other bands, you'd be left aside as a ridiculous wannabe. But if those wannabes were here today, they'd be praised. I keep my choice to stay in the present, but I must admit that some bands really know how to breathe new life in old musical ways. Norwegian quartet BLOD TSUNAMI is one of them, as their latest release, "Grave Condition", is here as proof.

Fast and thunderous, they play a Thrash Metal form that is based on the German Thrash Metal School in its earlier form, when DESTRUCTION released "Infernal Overkill", SODOM unleashed "Persecution Mania" and KREATOR was surprising everyone with the EP "Flag of Hate". But don't get the wrong idea, because they are pretty good and show a personalized musical work, besides it isn't new. And their songs show an amazing energy and charming musical arrangements.

The sound quality is a statement that their Old School roots remain in the music, because they use a modern and clear sound quality, with the crude touch coming from the tunes used on the recording sessions (it really seems like they recorded the album using analogue systems for each instrument, like pedals and stuff like that). So you have the aggressive and dirty touch from the tunes of the instruments, and the strong and bold sound from modern techs on the recordings. If it's the case, it was a wise choice, I must say.

On the first three songs ("Poison Tongue", "The Allegory of the Cave" and "The Collapse"), they show an amazing and great amount of energy, in a way that I must state that would make many Old School Thrash Metal wannabes gave up on playing. The killing rhythm of "Gargoyle" is really a hooking one, showing a very good work from bass guitar and drums, along a good chorus and great backing vocals. "In the Dungeon of the Rats" is a fast assault of excellent and aggressive riffs with Hardcore adrenaline, like you'll hear as well on "Steel Meets Steel".

If BLOOD TSUNAMI can do better than this, the best thing for old school wannabes is to retire!