Thrash Metal was always my top Metal genre! Nothing can overcome this ferocious and raw genre! That's why I decided to review the new Raise Hell album. And I don't want to listen stuff like Raise Hell are a Black Metal band! I read somewhere that they are a Black Metal band and I couldn't stop laughing! They are from Stockholm. So what? Every Swedish band has this Swedish sound...
First of all, I would like to award them the I've changed 1000 names Oscar! They were formed in 1996. They were formerly known as Frost, Frozen In Time, Forlorn, In Cold Blood and finally Raise Hell. I would also like to add that now they have a new guitarist, Joakim Kulo, who hasn't participated in the recordings of the album, but was a session musician for the band. Their first work was a demo, Nailed (1997), when they were still named In Cold Blood. This demo earned them a contract with Nuclear Blast. There, they released three full-length albums. Now, with a new contract with Black Lodge, Raise Hell hit back with their fourth studio album...
City Of The Damned is a Thrash Metal album, which shows (for one more time) that these lads have really big balls! Influenced by their country, which is something inevitable for Swedish musicians, you can describe their music as a mixture of Bay Area Thrash Metal, Swedish Death Metal and a few touches of Swedish Black Metal (only a few). You can find from aggressive breaks to melodic moments (melody doesn't last for much in this CD, believe me!). What surprised me was the singer's unique voice! It's been years since an extreme voice amazed me like that! Really wicked voice! Anyway, what disappointed me a bit was the production. I was expecting a heavier production, especially because it was made in Sweden. These guys are famous for their productions. Not that it's bad, but I expected something much better. I can say that these guys reminded me a lot of the good, old Metallica. Sometimes they have that 80's warm feeling...
If you are a fan of the Swedish scene, you will love this CD. It didn't really amaze me, but it is a decent CD that can stand proudly against other Thrash releases today. Not for soft and melodic listeners...