Metal maniacs, rejoice! The Thrasher returns to give you an insight; this time, on the Italian quintet know as SCHIZO - on their 4^th album entitled: "Rotten Spiral", signed via Punishment 18 Records...performing Thrash / Black Metal.

Thinking of Black Metal always does arouse my senses that it's extremely raw background features the elementary force of Thrash Metal implementations; which is quite an obvious concept when you begin to listen. I'm acquainted with this here quartet whose history is pretty interesting; asking the legendary Chuck Schuldiner (Rest In Peace) of DEATH to record their debut album: "Main Frame Collapse", unfortunately the immortal was forced to deny the request due to inactivity of the band. A shame but the fame SCHIZO now have is a force to be reckoned with; not only that, the 4^th new album "Rotten Spiral" is a rather spectacular piece of Metal. At first; I must say, it felt a bit off on the drumming areas at the beginning of my first listen...instrumentally too, the feel in rhythm timing didn't sound too right...but that aside; this is an album for every Black/Thrash nut that's for sure. I was able to put those complaints aside with more listens of the record.

Consisting of talents such as S.B. Reder on guitars who is a thrashing machine in his own right. Dario Casabiona on drums smashes his set with speed in fruition, and Nico Accurso has typical Black Metal vocals that scream out a raw fibber substance embittered within. It's safe to say that I'm dealing with a furious bunch; that's how I like it! Even as I begin "Leaders Of Deception", the pummelling reaches an all-time high! 8 thrashing songs, and after a few listens before writing; I gather a "grow on me" sensation. Every song defines blackened Thrash with power and depth. Clarifying with brilliance that exceeded my expectations which weren't low at all; Thrash is in my middle name! How can I not approve?! With the introductions and opinions out of the way; it's time to give this beast yet another go, and indulge with my insightful knowledge. With an abundance amount of skill; it's time to thrash once more!

Songs like "Skeptic Flesh", "Neurotic Propaganda" and the titular track: "Rotten Spiral", I sense a more blackened MUNICIPAL WASTE instrumentation...which is quite a mental image as even the vocalist showcases this element of surprise. "Death Wire", "Freikorps" and "Hysterical God" continues to showcase more elementary surprises with nice additional groove with mid-tempo solos that unprecedented all expectations. Acoustic-like additions make "Rotten Spiral" a fantastic album that pushes the boundaries while compromises are restraint. And then "The Final Warning" finalises the record with ambition, technique and skill. SCHIZO want to thrash your skeleton and make sure you have a bloody good time with it, I sure did... it did more than thrash myself; it brutalized myself into a better thrasher! So all in all; I wouldn't say it's album of the year material, but it could very well be. Go check it out.