EXORCIST The First Exorcism EP Self-released (2026) Rating: 6/10 There is no messing around here as Bavarian thrashers Exorcist bring their completely unoriginal moniker to the masses. At just over 13 minutes this is one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” creations fuelled, I presume, by alcohol and 80s thrash. Steeped very much in […]

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Rats In The Temple Napalm (2026) Rating: 7.5/10 With another stinker of an album cover, veteran thrashers Flotsam And Jetsam conjures up a 16th full-length platter. Thankfully, the music of Rats In The Temple doesn’t match the dodgy, digital cover art, the combo no doubt comfortable in its own skin again in […]

BARRACUDA Barracuda EP Self-released (2026) Rating: 6.5/10 Sounding very reminiscent of defunct U.S. heavy metal band Satan’s Hallow, German five-piece Barracuda’s debut EP is certainly one for the rockers. Straight up hard rock is on the menu here – a no frills but fluid and punchy outing full of energy led by the vocals of […]

SQUALOR Dark Side Of The Sun Self-released (2026) Rating: 8/10 This debut full-length opus is the work of a double act, namely Spaniard José Andrés Rodríguez Alonso (drums) and Spanish-based American Adam Wise (vocals, guitar and bass). Beyond the amateurish yet fun cover art, this is a a grower of a thrash experience made up […]

BRAINBATH HeadHunted Macho / Memento Mori (2026) Rating: 7.5/10 I’ve been looking forward to this full-length debut since these Scottish death metal ghouls unleashed their self-titled EP four years ago. BrainBath have become a strong and vital ingredient in championing the Scottish death metal scene, and I’ve no doubt that HeadHunted will bolster their reputation. […]