Hutch bangs his keyboard to the second album from Danish new school thrashers… Demolizer, here’s what he thinks!!

‘Bloodshed ferocious thrash, influenced by the classic bands (think Slayer & Exodus) with the energy of the new generation (Municipal Waste, Gama Bomb, etc.).’ A hugely bold statement hidden within the press release that accompanied Post Necrotic Human, the sophomore release from Danish thrashers Demolizer. Does it hold water? Well, let’s see. But first, we need to navigate past the album cover, which follows in the long thrash tradition of fucking awful covers. Brightly coloured, it’s it catches the eye, which is about all I can say about it, for the drawing looks like it’s been done for a GCSE project.

First sounds are at least encouraging. It’s a frenetic start, with Ben Radtleff issuing an almighty howl of anguish as the band kick into the title track. With twin guitars tracking each other, frantic drumming, and huge, chunky riffs it’s certainly thrash metal and those influences in the first paragraph roar through. A strong opening gives way to some fine lead work which is delivered with high energy levels. This is a band who mean business. The music is sharp, powerful, muscular. And as one might expect, slightly repetitive. ‘Fascist State’ segues from the opener, and I didn’t even notice to be honest. 

But that isn’t so much a criticism as an observation of the state of thrash metal today. It’s highly challenging to be innovative, inventive, away from the mainstream. Demolizer may not break much in the way of new ground, but they do what they do exceptionally well. ‘Crossfire’ and the ferocious ‘The Wheel’ power things along, both with an underpinned groove that quickly edge under the skin. The latter is a right earworm, and you’ll be humming the tune for hours afterwards. 

The other thing that is impressive about the Danes is their technical qualities. Now, I’m no musician, but these guys are on point from the off, and whilst purists may challenge my view, this is solid stuff. ‘Sarnarth’, the city in Mnar made famous by HP Lovecraft in 1920’s The Doom that Came to Sarnarth, includes sound effects no doubt representing the god Bokrug, the great water lizard. It’s one of the best tracks on the album, sharp, incisive, and blisteringly fast. The combination of Type o Negative and Metallica on ‘Killing A Friend’ is probably about right; it’s a slower tempo, much more reflective and considers the rather chilling subject matter. 

For all the melancholy, it’s the heads down thrash that Demolizer do best. The final pairing of ‘Capital Punishment’ followed by the final mauling of ‘Warmonger’. More lacerating riffs, and slashing edged thrash that melt the face. 

Overall, this is a highly enjoyable thrash metal album that doesn’t test the grey matter too much. If you like your thrash gnarly, visceral, and full of spit and piss, then Demolizer’s second full-length is certainly an album worth a listen. 

Demolizer – Post Necrotic Human is out this Friday 7th July via Target Group and is available in all the normal places but as always we support via BANDCAMP