Unholy Destruction

Hammr

The American Black Thrash game continues, ABSU have lead the line for so many years, […]
By "Der Bärtige Mann" Gareth Beams
February 26, 2018
Hammr - Unholy Destruction album cover

The American Black Thrash game continues, ABSU have lead the line for so many years, now it's time to hear what HAMMR can do, this is his first Full-Length album after unleashing their self-titled EP back in 2015 and then the Demo "Into The Pentagram" in 2016. That song is now on this album. "Satanic Raid" has the dark sense of older Absu, mixed with the heavy layer of Thrash from SLAYER. It's a return to the dark days of Thrash. The melody has a "Seek and Destroy" sound in there, but keeps it ticking over well with the low cut vocals in short outbursts. A decent solo is helping keep the song going nicely, the edgy clean cut styles met with J's dark growls. If you like dark and edgy thrash then this is for you.

"Under Black Command" starts with the fiery thrash opening chord met with a low dark vocal similar to that of old style TOXIC HOLOCAUST. J seems to be open to letting the instruments do most of the work. The melody is decent, there is a high tempo building up nicely and adding his low outbursts makes the song fit very well. Like so many old Thrash and Black Metal songs, it is over before you're rally aware of what is going on, but it leaves you interested in hearing what comes next. "Desecrator" begins where other left off, the raw thrash sound is very apparent throughout. The short outburst shouts give a different depth to this song, but again very little vocals. This both helps and hinders the song. It allows full concentration to remain on the instrumental sound, which is useful for building the melody. However due to the lack of vocals the song never takes to that next level, leaving you thinking what might have been,

"Sadistic Poison" starts once more like a Toxic Holocaust song, this time the start off has a lot more to offer from the vocals. Something that has been previously missing. The vocals aren't in any real lyric depth but they last throughout the song, to give the album itself a pick up. The Thrash Death Metal sound is running true via the instruments here too. This is a great mix of vocal and melody. "Death Reign" has the thick sludge style Thrash that you are used to hearing more with MUNICIPAL WASTE. The vocals are in full force again for this half of the album. The sound is less Black Metal and more Death Metal mixed with Thrash, but it has both a good sound and feel to it. It isn't a long song, but none are here. It has a decent Thrash-Attack vibe.

6 / 10

Had Potential

Songwriting

6

Musicianship

6

Memorability

6

Production

6
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"Unholy Destruction" Track-listing:

1. Intro
2. Satanic Raid
3. Under Black Command
4. Eternal Prey
5. Desecrator
6. Sadistic Poison
7. Death Reign
8. Unholy Destruction
9. Demonic Rites
10. into the Pentagram
11. Final Sacrifice

Hammr Lineup:

J. Hammer - All Instruments & Vocals

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