DARKNESS "Death Squad" CD Battle Cry
A label took care of re-releasing DARKNESS’ debut album (they re-released
the second and third albums too). Their first lp was their best, offering
a great dose of german thrash metal madness. From the nine tracks, none is
to throw. All are convincing, although some stand out such as the ripping
"Death Squad", the anthemic "Faded Pictures", the epic side of the monumental
"Burial At Sea" and the brutal "Critical Threshold". At this time, the motto
of the bans was "thrash ‘till death !" and they really put it into effect.
From ’87 to this day, it’s still a great pleasure for me to listen to this
killer record. It’s a pity they didn’t continue that way with the following
albums. There are seven bonustracks on this cd. "Neues Von Gestern" recorded
in July 2005, which is a new version of "Critical Threshold" with lyrics
in german, and I don’t get the point here. Then, the more interesting : the
four tracks of their "The Evil Curse" ’85 demo (well, a long horrific intro
plus three tracks), which are raw, devilish and chaotic. To end the cd, you
will find a demo version of "Death Squad", and surprisingly, a cover of Judas
Priest’s "Living After Midnight" (recorded live). There is nothing more to
add, except that « Death Squad » is the classic DARKNESS album.
Patrick Lefevre
DARKNESS “Bocholt Live Squad” CD Battle Cry
A live album of german thrashers DARKNESS saw the light of day. It is the
right choice of a concert recorded in ’87 as they were supporting the “Death
Squad” lp. All the nine tracks of the debut album are played plus old demo
tracks (“Beyond The Gates Of Death”,“The Kingdom Of Death”, “Titanic War”,
“Armageddon”…). That is live, that is raw, that is without overdubs. You
just get raging thrash metal here. The testament of a killer show. A good
addition to your records if you like alot their first lp.
Patrick Lefevre
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