These German thrashers released an obscure album back in 1989 ("Splended Deed"), walked off the Music industry and now reform to unleash another assault. I do not know if the scheduled re-release of their early debut preceded or followed the band's decision to records a brand new album, though. Not that it matters, anyway, since the big question is if WICCA can raise the flag of hate with "Bloodrush".

The cover artwork reminded me of the LP covers of German/worldwide bands in their early 90s albums (DARKNESS, VIRUS, DEATHROW, LUNACY etc), when Thrash Metal was moving away from its chaotic/satanizing attitude now adopting a more artistic/technical image. WICCA's debut - even if promoted back then or still now - as a teutonic Thrash release - was paying equal tribute to the first wave of American Thrash Metal, to be precise. As every 'obscure' first album it was marked with a peculiar production but I have the impression people who back then wanted everything related to European Thrash Metal did send a warm message to WICCA.

Now, 20 years later, "Bloodrush" comes to be the follow-up CD, a rather awkward term since so many years have passed in between. Anyway, for some weird reason the music in this new WICCA effort is what I'd generally expect to listen to after starring at the CD's artwork. You'll have no hard time realizing this is an old band from a European country (if you have experienced rotten Thrash ears...!) but it'll take quite a series of auditions to judge on "Bloodrush"'s sting, especially if one of your basic criteria is the vocals style/sound. For Patrick Olymp Skala tries to sound up-to-date in his harsh/new/modern/aggressive style, surely keeping parts of the classic Euro Thrash singing pattern intact, but overall matching more to an e.g. newborn aggressive Thrash band. I point this out as a fact and nothing more (some may like this mix, I didn't...sorry).

As for the music: WICCA's new songs are worth your interest if you like your Thrash Metal rich in riffs and tempos, but not over-complex. Basic speedy parts give their place do double-bass up tempo breaks, and enough times the rhythm section is quite rigorous. Bearing in mind the lyrics themes deal a lot with social-political subjects, some comparisons with on-the-edge Thrash/Crossover bands should not be out of the question, too.

Still, the spine in this new album's songlist is the late 80s/early 90s Euro/US Thrash Metal board with some 'modern' production/riffing here and there and quite vehement vocals. In other words: place (one next to the other) mid-career KREATOR, non-evil SLAYER, post-80s SODOM, FORBIDDEN, late DARKNESS, ACCUSER...then it's WICCA; 40 minutes of gratifying Thrash Metal.

P.S.: the guitar leads confirm there's an experienced band hiding at the rear.