In the second half of the 80's, German Thrash Metal was in a level that enables bands as KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SODOM, ASSASSIN and TANKARD (the most known Thrash Metal bands of the country outside its frontiers) to stand side by side with North American ones. But things suffered a change due the fall of Metal from the parades due the coming of Alternative Rock tendencies on 1991. But one can ask if Germany still can give birth to reliable Thrash Metal acts, and the answer is given by the quartet SIGN OF DEATH and it can be heard on "Revival", their latest release. On these songs pulses the German Thrash Metal features that widely known (technique mixed with and more aggressive than melodic appeal), just with some clear Hardcore influences (as can be heard on the vocals).

The melodic side of their music becomes clear during the guitar leads, the technical side of their music is sober (it means that's not exaggerated, because it's not the main idea behind their music), but these maniacs are able to unleash a massive and catchy energy on their songs that's hard to resist. It's to hear and shake your heads as there's no tomorrow! The sonority used on the EP is very good: clean, defined and 'dry' (to expand the understanding of what they're playing and expressing), but always allowing the aggressiveness and weight of their music to be clean to the ears. It bears something of Old School Thrash Metal on it, but without trying to be raw and moldy.

"War of Minds" opens the EP with a massive rhythmic work of bass guitar and drums that sustain the weight (with some very good shifts). Following the same tendency, "No Compromise" is filled with many hooking arrangements on the guitars (with some duets appearing here and there, and what great leads), with a catchy chorus. On "I See My Death", the melodic side of their music is better expressed, without losing the aggressiveness, with very good and hardcorized vocals (and what lovely clean moment on the middle of the song). Showing some influences of early German Thrash Metal, "Hope and Dreams" bears the crude and aggressive appeal of the 80's, but in an updated form, and what great melodies can be heard on the guitars. And the bonus track, "Lost" has a raw sound quality (what boosts the Hardcore feeling on it), but its energy is amazing, with bass, drums and vocals working in a great way.

With the right chance, SIGN OF DEATH's tendency is to become great as their comrades named above, and I hope that "Revival" is preceding a future full-length.