To play Metal genres that are old, one band must keep in mind: you can have all musical influences you love, but you must be yourself, you can't be anyone that already exists (or existed). Don't be fooled by sayings of many, trust in your own heart and visions. This is the main driving force that separates a successful name as IRON MAIDEN from others that never came to the first team. It's not only a set of strategies, but to have a personal musical work. And a fine example of how to be you in an old Metal genre is the Swiss quintet POLTERGEIST. Their latest album, "Feather of Truth", is a sample of what the words above mean. It's obvious that these guys have a personal set of musical influences that can be traced to EXODUS, METALLICA, TESTAMENT, SLAYER, MEGADETH and all the North American Thrash Metal School, but they sound like POLTERGEIST, understand?

It's ferocious, heavy and aggressive, but with a refined technical level, some very good set of melodies, and fine arrangements that create a dynamical flux of energy. And yes, that is what means to have personality. As expected, "Feather of Truth" was produced, mixed and mastered by its guitarist, V.O. Pulver (yes, the same who works with DESTRUCTION, BURNING WITCHES and other bands) at Little Creek Studio. And his experience created something really very good, keeping the sonority aggressive and sharp, but in a way that their songs can be fully understood by the listeners. It's a very good work, indeed.

There are many influences from Thrash Metal, traditional Heavy Metal and even Crossover on "Feather of Truth", and all the songs are truly impressive. But for a first time, the fast and aggressive "Time at Hand" (excellent vocals, indeed), the funny and hooking "Saturday Night's Allright for Rockin'" (a fun mix between Metal Punk and Crossover elements, sounding like a Thrash Metal version of MOTÖRHEAD, with sharp guitar riffs and excellent solos), the aggressive traditional Heavy Metal tack used on "Feather of Truth" (in some moments, influences from SANCTUARY and NEVERMORE can be heard, and what great work of bass guitar and drums), the slashing fury of the guitar riffs exhibited on "The Attention Trap" (this one has some touches from German Thrash Metal on its harmonies), the slow paced massacre called "Phantom Army" and "The Godz of the Seven Rays" (this one bears a set of melodies heavily influenced by northern Heavy Metal, especially MERCYFUL FATE on some vocals' tunes), and... Try to hear the entire album! It's better than trying to point the best songs in a homogeneous album like "Feather of Truth".

As the ancients of the genre are ceasing to exist, and some seems to be tired of making music, maybe POLTERGEIST is able to take the torch of fire to light the path of young Thrash Metal generations.