"No Restraint" is the fouth album from German band TRAGIC CAUSE. Formed in 2010 by frontman and guitarist Alex Hoffman, the line up has changed several times. This album has Simon Schorp on bass and Thomas Hauser on drums. TRAGIC CAUSE play a no nonscence, in your face, cross-over Thrash/Hardcore Metal. The band are tight as hell and in the zone. As you may expect there are no ballads on here with the themes being all about not taking any crap, watching your back and beating the odds. The songs are tight, short and thrashy but mainly mid-tempo. The vocals are Hard Core in delivery and in parts Death Metal in style. Musically however, there's no Death Metal Doomy parts, just straight ahead Thrash/ Hardcore riffing.

The first thing that strikes me about the album is the good production. It's completely in the zone and the three guys mesh together really well. The only downside to these kind of albums is that it's relentless, apart from some short slower intro's and a few nice song breakdowns. First track "No Restraint" smashes in with a raging riff and talks about messing yourself up (the video depicts a guy downing a bottle of vodka) and basically having "No Restraint". Followed by "Riven by Grief" which is basically the same song and "Pain Is My Religion" which is very similar but slower. Think something like HATEBREED for these opening tracks.

The fourth track is as it says "Where It Begins" for me. This is better. This has more to it with a few nice riffs, akin to the likes of NUCLEAR ASSAULT, and a well delivered chorus. It builds up nicely. Next up "Loss of Reality" sounds a bit like early POSSESSED with more Metal riffing and Death Metal vocals. Good stuff.

The last two tracks are the best for me. "Monster" has a great riff and drum intro and the opening line of "let me tell you the f%%king truth" and chorus of "you are a f%%king monster" are nicely to the point, literally. There's a bass breakdown in there and it is exactly what it says in the title. The final track, "Nailed To The Cross" is probably my favourite track on the album. Musically it is very SLAYER which is great. Great drumming on this track as Thomas Hauser pounds away. The guitar breaks are pure old school SLAYER and this finished the album on a high note.

Although, definitely not a desert island disc, "No Restraint" is a full blooded and honest thrash out. I could definitely put the last two tracks on my ipod but the rest is a little less memorable.