We’ve seen it happen time and time again: An 80s thrash band will rise from the ashes in an attempt to recapture the magic of their glory years. 9 times out of 10, these efforts fall short and we get a once great band that’s grown old and tired. Thankfully, Teutonic thrash veterans, Assassin, avoid this pitfall with a revitalized lineup. Lead by guitarist and sole original member, Jürgen “Scholli” Scholz, Assassin does what they do best and that’s brutal thrash metal accompanied by equally brutal social critiques.
Assassin has been politically conscious since their 1984 inception. Their debut album, The Upcoming Terror (1987), deals with war and tyrannical politicians. Bestia Immundis does the same. Only the times have changed. “War Song” speaks for itself. Tracks such as “The Swamp Thing” and “Chemtrails Pts. 1 and 2” melds themes of horror and sci-fi with the current issue of climate change. There’s also, “The Wall”: a scathing critique of America’s current sitting president.
The lyrics vary from song to song. The riffs not so much. Ferocity comes first and foremost. There’s nothing wrong with this. However, it is an issue when a handful of songs become more memorable than the rest of the album. This is the case on Bestia Immundis. My two favorite tracks are “Not Like You!” and “Hell’s Work is Done”. A defiant, thrash anthem with a fiery guitar solo to boot, I can see myself speeding down the highway, blasting “Not Like You!” with the windows down. The most primal track on the album, “Hell’s Work is Done”, is fueled by an absolute neckbreaker of a riff. It’s the most 80s sounding song on an otherwise modern thrash outing.
Other than these two tracks, nothing on Bestia made me leap out of my seat. That said, it’s a good album and guaranteed to satisfy thrashers of all ages. If the world is going to hell in a hand basket, we may as well mosh on the way down.
5 out of 10
Label: Massacre Records
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Testament, Destruction, Sodom