Onslaught - VI

(CD Album Review)

*****

Thirty years into their carrer and they've release a classic!

Onslaught were among the handful of British bands that could give the Americans a run for their money. Splitting in 1990 and making a comeback in 2006 with 'In search of Sanity' the band built on past glories but their new material was better then ever. A live DVD and live album they then went on release 2011's 'Sounds of Violence' which made big enough waves is it was but this years 'VI' smashes all benchmarks the band have made before.

'VI' is simply one of those records where a band do what they usually do but this time just hit the nail on the head, they just hit the bullseye first throw! It's nine faultless songs placed in perfect order, with perfect pacing. From the Intro track onwards the album just flows. Everything is in it's place and it's just an effortless listen. It could be down to an addition of the new drummer Michael Hourihan from Desecration and Extreme noise Terror. A new member always gives a band a shot in the arm but all everyone involved is at the top of their game here. The twin guitars shredding away which leads thrown left, right and centre.

A bit of melody here and there to build atmosphere but never diluting the potent medicine the band are delivering. Sy Keeler is on great form, like Chuck Billy he has a variety of different tones and ranges that he mixes perfectly in his unique way. '66F**king6' seems to be the hit with most people. 'Children of the Sand' with it's stomping opening riff and the Egyptian singing running through it which is a great touch. As a whole the album is just over half hour of pure Thrash heaven. All killer no filler as they say!

With a lot of bands in the Thrash genre 30 plus year into their career Death Angel, Kreator, Testament but to name a few making the best music of their career now Onslaught are among that group and this album stands up if not surpasses some of the albums coming out from the premier league of Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal in general for that matter. They probably won't get a big as those said bands though because....well everythings fucked isn't it but thats a different subject altogether!