Onslaught – VI
AFM Records
Release Date: 20/09/2013
Running Time 39:30
Review by Rick Tilley
10/10
This Review was first published in 2014 and is reprinted courtesy of Brutiful Metal Radio
I have been a big fan of Onslaught since their debut album ‘Power From Hell’ hit the streets in 1985. They were at the forefront of the UK Thrash movement back then and a perfect counterpart to the Bay Area and German scenes. I was also lucky enough to be part of the crowd who witnessed one of Sy Keeler’s very first gigs with the band at The Marquee Club, London in April 1986 when they supported Exciter. Due to the timetable running a bit late everyone was inside the venue when Onslaught emerged onstage to soundcheck ‘Let There Be Death’, which they did with such ferocity and precision that there were bodies and open mouths everywhere you looked. It was one of those spine tingling moments that only happen occasionally, it remains forever scorched onto my brain and second album ‘The Force’ is still one of my all time favourites!
What happened in subsequent years up until their eventual split in 1991 is a story for another day, needless to say I was more than a bit surprised, but extremely happy, when they decided to get back together in 2005. “VI” is Onslaught’s third album since returning and not only is it the best of the three it is also very close to being their finest hour. This is about as heavy and precise as a squadron of British Chieftain Tanks hitting you at full force, in other words “Fucking Immense”! Thirty second intro ‘A New World Order’ leads into ‘Chaos Is King’ and for the next forty minutes the skin is going to be melted from your face. Keeler’s venomous, spitting vocals improve as he ages and this is arguably his best ever performance. Founding member Nige Rockett and Andy Rosser Davies’ guitar work is outstanding, and in places reminiscent of Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P) and Annihilator’s Jeff Waters. Jeff Williams bass thunders and rumbles in perfect unison and new drummer Mic Hourihan appears to have been taking lessons from Gene Hoglan such is his split second timing. There really isn’t a poor track here and ’66’Fucking’6′ is going to become a thrash anthem!
Yes, I unashamedly love this album and after such brilliant releases from Exodus, Testament, Annihilator and Kreator in recent years I’m proud to say that Onslaught have matched them. I’m just pissed I never got round to reviewing this last October because it would have been top three in my albums of the year list. Double check the score I’ve given this, believe me, I don’t hand that out very often!
TRACKLISTING:
01. A New World Order
02. Chaos Is King
03. Fuel for My Fire
04. Children of the Sand
05. Slaughterize
06. 66’Fucking’6
07. Cruci-Fiction
08. Dead Man Walking
09. Enemy of My Enemy
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Richard Tilley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to reproduce and part of this review, unless you have the explicit permission of both parties; failure to comply will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Brutiful Metal Radio