#warbringer — Public Fediverse posts

Thrash—my first love. Before I worshipped at the altars of black and death, my masters cloaked themselves in denim and set my soul on fire with aggressive speed, snotty rebellion, and fist-pumping anthems. Like 2016, the godfathers of thrash have already made the last twelve months a resurgence of the old school, with varying degrees of success.1 Newer acts have also made a splash, with Cryptic Shift and Zerre wickedly pummeling our poor score counter into requesting early retirement.2 2026 at large betrays no signs of relenting, and thankfully, neither does thrash. Ten years after dropping their 2016 debut, The Unholy Trinity, California’s Nukem reemerges with sophomore effort The Grave Remains. After such a long incubation period, does Nukem prove that they have what it takes to claw out from the grave?

Despite forming in 2012, Nukem oozes classic thrash spunk by blurring Bay Area melody with East Coast attitude and gang vocals. Death Angel, Nuclear Assault, and Overkill3 influences punctuate The Grave Remains’ twelve tracks, although flashes of a dozen other bands course through Nukem’s veins. Guitarist/vocalist Steve Brogden’s snarls remind me of Warbringer’s John Kevill mixed with a more pissed-off Mark Osegueda, delivering serrated crossover barks with conviction. Rob Cavestany even makes a guest appearance on “Into the Kill Zone,” cementing the Death Angel frame of reference. Exodus staples Gary Holt and Lee Altus also sling some riffs on “Empress of Evil” and “Don’t Believe a Word” respectively, the latter of which is a Thin Lizzy cover. In total, Nukem blends a multitude of inspirations into a confluence of so many thrash wellsprings that they precipitate a voice at once familiar and distinct.

The Grave Remains by Nukem

Nukem plays infectiously fun thrash that overflows with shout-along choruses and a bass tone so plump and meaty that it quickly became my favorite aspect of The Grave Remains. Brogden’s guitars flit, chug, and cajole throughout the forty-nine minutes, yet bassist Don Lauder steals the spotlight time and again. From the slinky rumble in “Unconditional Surrender” to the coquettish interplay in “Empress of Evil,” Lauder’s bass bounces and parades with low-end jubilance. “Torture, Murder, Mutilate!” and “Random Acts of Violence” further emphasize the bass while showcasing Nukem’s six-string attack, with Xander Gambini augmenting Brogden’s core. Additionally, ex-Nukem axe-wielder (and current Dark Angel guitarist) Laura Christine joins her former bandmates and Gary Holt on “Empress of Evil,” while “Random Acts of Violence” includes an appearance from Russ Tippins (Satan and Tanith). Drummer Norm Leggio rounds out the rhythm section, ably pounding out rolls, fills, and tight rhythms in support of Nukem’s well-crafted performances.

Nukem executes thrash with the eager verve of a hungry up-and-comer, but a couple of missteps limit The Grave Remains’ ceiling. While the riffs are fine when experienced in isolation, as a whole, they often lack the hooks or memorability to distinguish themselves from one another. The Grave Remains shines brightest during bass performances and rousing choruses, but those two alone can’t support an entire thrash album. This issue wouldn’t be as glaring if the track lengths were shaved down, but as-is, only two songs (besides needless instrumentals) stay under the four-minute mark, and one of those is a cover. Repeat spins reinforce the opportunity to trim thirty to sixty seconds off several tracks, which would help punch up The Grave Remains and leave listeners craving MOAR. On a positive note, the production glows with a well-balanced mix that supplies ample room for each instrument, and Nukem’s earnest embrace of head-banging gusto guarantees I’m never having a bad time.

Ultimately, Nukem offers a classic thrash platter with a few blemishes I can see, yet easily look past. The Grave Remains won’t change the landscape of the genre, but fans will find plenty to enjoy, and despite the melting pot of references, Nukem manages to claim their spot within thrash’s wing of the metalsphere. Songs like “Unconditional Surrender” and “Curse of the Devil’s Bible” are welcome earworms that have found homes in my playlists, and I look forward to the next time Nukem asks us to come get some.

Rating: Good
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: April 10th, 2026

Ravager – From Us with Hate Review

By Lavender Larcenist

What can one reasonably say that hasn’t already been proclaimed in the halls of AMG over and over again about throwback thrash bands? In a genre that continues to pump out music for over forty years, breaking the mold is like chiseling out of your prison cell with a spoon. Doable? Maybe. But true escape is improbable. Germany’s Ravager peddles in the same stylistic trappings that you have seen a million times before from bands like Havok, Lich King, Warbringer, Gamma Bomb, and so, so many others before them. While many of these throwback acts ended up evolving their sounds and peeling themselves free of the mozzarella mosh of pizza thrash, will Ravager do the same on their fourth LP, From Us with Hate? Or, is it doomed to rest alongside the proverbial pineapple topping, as loathed as it is loved?

How does one even begin to talk about a band like Ravager without reaching for the same old cliches? You have heard all this music before; nothing here will surprise you, especially if you enjoy fast-paced, no-frills thrash with mostly generic lyrics about fighting the system, living hard, and loving metal. During my review, I decided to spin From Us with Hate while playing some rounds of Helldivers 2 (the title of a popular co-op video game for you olde folks). Ravager’s style of no-holds-barred violence, combined with its oddly uplifting lyrical themes, made it a perfect match for the on-screen chaos. But really, this would work for almost any high-octane experience; driving fast, working out, sitting on your ass shooting aliens in a video game, you name it. I couldn’t help but crack a smile as the cheesy yet earnest lyrics of “Alone We Won’t Survive” matched up perfectly with the actions in the game, as I rescued a hapless rookie player from the jaws of death. The best thing I can say is From Us with Hate makes for a decent soundtrack when mowing down alien bugs in a sci-fi fascist hellscape.

Ravager plays to all the thrash tropes. The opening track, “Freaks Out of Control,” starts like many genre staples before it: a slow kick drum lead with a little high hat that rolls into a rollicking riff. In fairness, each band member fills their respective role well, and Marcel Lehr and Dario Rosenberg’s dual guitar assault is a highlight. From Us With Hate is full of tight riffs and ripping speed. “Aggressive Music for Aggressive People,” the title track, and “Legends of the Lightning” are all fun, easy-to-digest thrash staples that get the blood going even if they don’t break the mold. Vocalist Phillip Herbst sounds dangerously close to Lich King’s Tom Martin, and it seems like he might crack at any given time. The vocals sound strained throughout, and rarely change things up outside of a few inspired moments and catchy choruses, such as on “Curse the Living, Hail the Dead” and “Defender.” While Ravager plays with that “barely keeping this thing on the tracks” energy that epitomizes great thrash, it misses elsewhere. It is clear they have more than enough heart, but the songwriting doesn’t quite match it.

Thankfully, the band’s latest is competently played and features tight production (although the bass is occasionally lost in frustrating ways). Album closer “Defender” is stuffed with tight riffing from Lehr and Rosenberg as well as some standout lead work and multiple blistering tag-team solos from the guitar duo. Herbst never breaks the mold, but competently trucks alongside the bouncing groove of the tracks. Vocals remain the weakest element overall, and the album’s closing cover of Exodus’s “Bonded by Blood” highlights this with Herbst’s voice sounding as if it is going to crack at any point in the song, especially in the chorus.

I appreciate a band that knows their whole schtick is a little silly without making themselves the butt of the joke. Every Ravager album cover is adorned with its goofy snake man, as buff as post-crisis Batman, and clad in ripped jeans and sneakers, but the music itself never becomes too silly. From Us With Hate is the record you’ve heard many times before, and tolerance may vary as a result. If you love throwback thrash bands and eat up anything in the genre, Ravager will keep you sated like a familiar piece of pepperoni pizza at your local shop. If, like me, you are over this style of played-out retro worship, From Us with Hate is just empty calories.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Iron Shield Records
Websites: ravager.bandcamp.com | ravager-thrash.de | facebook.com/ravagerthrash
Releases Worldwide: September 19th, 2025

#25 #2025 #GammaBomb #GermanMetal #Havok #IronShieldRecords #LichKing #Ravager #Review #Reviews #romUsWithHateReview #Sep25 #ThrashMetal #Warbringer

Lions Metal Festival 2025

Samedi :
#Decapitated
#Cryptopsy
#Warbringer
#WitheringSurface
#SkeletonPit
#Carnation
#ThyLegion
#SansRoi
#Damager

Dimanche :
#Nile
#GamaBomb
#CoffinFeeder
#Merrimack
#GameOver
#ASecretRevealed
#Doomas
#Godark
#Deadlysins
#Aonaran

https://www.purgatoire.fr/concerts/festival-80-lions-metal-festival-2025

#LeTraitDUnion
#Montagny

#Decapitated
#Cryptopsy
#Warbringer
#WitheringSurface
#SkeletonPit
#Carnation
#ThyLegion
#SansRoi
#Damager
07/06/2025

Lions Metal Festival 2025

#LeTraitDUnion
#Montagny

https://www.purgatoire.fr/concerts/concert-546_2025-06-07_lions-metal-festival-2025

New post: Gig Review: Decapitated / Cryptopsy / Warbringer / Carnation – Slay, Glasgow (7th May 2025) https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2025/05/gig-review-decapitated-cryptopsy-warbringer-carnation-slay-glasgow-7th-may-2025/ #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

New post: Gig Review: Decapitated / Cryptopsy / Warbringer / Carnation – Slay, Glasgow (7th May 2025) https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2025/05/gig-review-decapitated-cryptopsy-warbringer-carnation-slay-glasgow-7th-may-2025/ #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

New post: Gig Review: Decapitated / Cryptopsy / Warbringer / Carnation – Slay, Glasgow (7th May 2025) https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/gig-review/2025/05/gig-review-decapitated-cryptopsy-warbringer-carnation-slay-glasgow-7th-may-2025/ #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

Decapitated bring their beastly tour to the UK next month!

Renowned death metal titans Decapitated are thrilled to be kicking off their "Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe Tour" next month. Featuring a potent lineup with heavyweights Cryptopsy, Warbringer, and Carnation, this high-octane tour promises to deliver an unmi

https://www.moshville.co.uk/news/tours/2025/04/decapitated-bring-their-beastly-tour-to-the-uk-next-month/

#ToursLiveDates #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

Decapitated bring their beastly tour to the UK next month!

Renowned death metal titans Decapitated are thrilled to be kicking off their "Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe Tour" next month. Featuring a potent lineup with heavyweights Cryptopsy, Warbringer, and Carnation, this high-octane tour promises to deliver an unmi

https://www.moshville.co.uk/news/tours/2025/04/decapitated-bring-their-beastly-tour-to-the-uk-next-month/

#ToursLiveDates #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

Decapitated bring their beastly tour to the UK next month!

Renowned death metal titans Decapitated are thrilled to be kicking off their "Infernal Bloodshed Over Europe Tour" next month. Featuring a potent lineup with heavyweights Cryptopsy, Warbringer, and Carnation, this high-octane tour promises to deliver an unmi

https://www.moshville.co.uk/news/tours/2025/04/decapitated-bring-their-beastly-tour-to-the-uk-next-month/

#ToursLiveDates #Carnation #Cryptopsy #Decapitated #Warbringer

Bloodstock 2025 – lucky thirteen new bands added!

Off the back of Bloodstock’s first announcement of 19 bands for 2025, tickets have been flying out the door in record numbers. Adult standard weekend tickets

https://www.moshville.co.uk/news/tours/2024/10/bloodstock-2025-lucky-thirteen-new-bands-added/

#ToursLiveDates #Bloodstock #CageFight #FearFactory #FlotsamJetsam #Heriot #HighParasite #Ministry #Nailbomb #PalefaceSwiss #RiversOfNihil #SpiritAdrift #thrown #Undeath #Warbringer

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#MetalSucks
Wraith’s Matt Sokol Names 10 Modern Thrash Bands That Would Have Killed It in the 80s
These bands would have slayed the 80s.

https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/06/06/wraiths-matt-sokol-names-10-modern-thrash-bands-that-would-have-killed-it-in-the-80s/

#ThrashMetal #Wraith #MattSokol #Havok #Warbringer #Midnight #MunicipalWaste #Bat #Hellripper #PowerTrip #Fugitive #Enforced #ToxicHolocaust