As I checked out the self titled debut album from Germany’s Knife, I asked myself, “Has there ever been a blackened thrash/speed album I haven’t liked?” Granted, some are better than others and nothing comes close to the classics (i.e. Destruction’s Sentence of Death, Kreator’s Endless Pain, NME’s Unholy Death, etc.), but I don’t think I’ve heard a single album in this vein and thought, “Wow, that sucked.” So it should come as no surprise that Knife carries on this tradition of digging all things evil, fast, and filthy.
Considering they hail from Germany and are signed to one of the finest underground labels around, Dying Victims Productions, I was expecting Knife’s brand of thrash to be closer to aforementioned countrymen Destruction and Kreator. In reality, the riffing and song structures have more in common with Show No Mercy era Slayer and Whiplash, with the opening track, “Behold the Horse of War”, coming off like a blackened version of the latter. Knife mostly plays pure old school thrash at maximum speed. Cuts like “I Am the Priest”, “Furnace”, and “The Hallowed Chamber of Storms” turn the velocity dial to overload, only slowing down for mosh friendly break sections.
When they aren’t snapping necks and ripping flesh, Knife plays some good old fashioned evil rock n’ roll, packed with hellacious hooks, nefarious riffs, and an all around punkish attitude. “Inside the Electric Church”, “Black Leather Hounds”, and “Demon Wind” showcase this midtempo Motörhead meets Midnight approach. I can’t help but draw comparisons to the blackened speedpunk of the similarly styled Wraith, but whereas Wraith’s punk influence comes from the hardcore side of the spectrum, Knife takes from the primitive griminess of Discharge, GBH, and the likes. Call it UK 82 or metalpunk, you get the point (no pun intended).
Perhaps most noteworthy of all is guitarist Laz’s incorporation of melodic traditional leads. I’m so used to the cacophonous blur of notes that constitutes solos for this genre that I can’t help but be taken aback when I hear some well thought out soloing in the vein of Maiden and Mercyful Fate. At certain points, Laz harmonizes over himself, creating an intoxicating Thin Lizzy effect which has been scientifically proven as the most pleasurable sound to the human ear. If this is what he’s capable of as a soloist, I could only imagine what he could bring to the table if he starts playing traditional riffs too.
Knife isn’t the sharpest blackened thrash release of the year, but it sure cuts deep. The riffs are fast, the vocals are possessed, and the all around aura is primal. There’s not much more you could ask for in a genre where simplicity and speed is king. On that note, dust off your finest studs and leather and get ready to burn up the night. With Knife as your Friday night soundtrack, there’s no shortage of debauchery that can ensue.
7 out of 10
Label: Dying Victims Production
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
For fans of: Wraith, Toxic Holocaust, Midnight