Once again, Big Daddy here must say something: why in the blazes are so many bands thinking that there is some secret hidden in Heavy Metal's past?

This fashion of old school Metal is exhausting the patience of seasoned Metallians like me. Yes, because in our time (specifically the 80s), the main trial for a band was to do something different from the others. Well the real secret is this: be yourself, sound like another band. That's all, no more than that. We don't need another IRON MAIDEN or MOTORHEAD, SODOM, METALLICA, SLAYER or any other band from those times (and my words of wisdom include those ones who are going back to the beginning of the 70s as well), because they already exist or have existed. If you have a personality, you can bring that sound back and rewrite the rules for yourself. Yet if you're going to be an "heir" to those times and bands, forget it. You're just fooling yourself, and using a nasty lie.

However, there are some bands from the past that are still active, and doing what they have done back in past. To them, keeping their music efforts the way they were is something acceptable; because it's their musical personality.

And even though it is somewhat late, how is good to hear a band as FATAL EMBRACE?  And the Speed/Thrash Metal quintet from Germany are releasing their new album: "Slaughter To Survive".

Here you'll find a piece of musical work that is a mix from North American and German schools of Thrash Metal, with the impact from bands as DESTRUCTION and ASSASSIN, but also with some esthetics and melodic sense from outfits like ANTHRAX. But beware: their music is truly aggressive, full of energy and will make your necks ache for days.

The sound quality is pretty good. Indeed, it sounds pretty clear so you can really hear all the musical instruments and vocals, but also, it has the right amount of weight that their music requires.

Besides being a Thrash Metal record, there are some elements from earlier Black/Death Metal ways - the likes of the first works from bands like SODOM and KREATOR - and good backing vocals. Just listen to songs like the fast "Revelation" (which features great guitar riffs and fine solos duels, and fine vocals as well); the ferocious bass guitar and drum work on "Hellhounds" (with very good changes in tempos, which reveal a tender musical technique from the musicians in the band); the slow and bitter tempos that are unleashed on "Dungeons of Dread"; the Crossover inspired song called "Enslaved and Fallen" (once featuring very good riffs, with clear influence from ANTHRAX); the strong and slow "Possession" (where the influence from bands of the North American school is clear); the high adrenaline presented by "Slaughter To Survive" (a fast poke in the eye, with very good vocals); and the destructive musical technique that they present on "From the Ashes". And we must state the their version of the old TWISTED SISTER hymn "Stay Hungry" is perfect, because they respect the elements from the original song, whilst also contributing their own aggressiveness and adrenaline to it in a way that Dee Snider and his gang would love.

A precious band and an excellent album!<