Actually, after the first look at the cover, I didn't want a review of «Steelcrusher» by Hammer cult write. But fortunately I listened anyway and so you can be wrong, because contrary to my expectations, no anthemic Battle-Heavy-Metal came out of the speakers here, but extremely fast and yet powerful Thrash! Here Exodus' hardness and uncompromisingness are paired with polyphonic shouts à la Nuclear Assault and Destruction's rolling high-speed attacks. But you would never confuse Hammercult with one of the bands mentioned, Hammercult sounds too independent for that. With «Steelcrusher», the winners of the 2011 Wacken Metal Battle up the ante compared to their debut «Anthems of the Damned» and ignite a merciless, all-destroying thrash inferno!
When Yakir Shochat tackles something, he does it with unconditional energy and total passion, because life is too short for half-heartedness for the singer of Israeli metal newcomers Hammercult. "In my opinion, there is only one sensible way to realize your dreams," he explains, "that is with passion and soul instead of false compromises or questionable ideals." Shochat's no-nonsense approach has paid off amazingly quickly: It's only been three years since he founded Hammercult in October 2010, but already he, guitarists Arie Aranovich and Guy Ben David, bassist Elad Manor and drummer Maayan Henik are shaking international metal -Scene really messed up. In August 2011 the band won the Metal Battle of the legendary Wacken Open Air, released their debut «Anthems Of The Damned» via Sonic Attack in April 2012 and now «Steelcrusher» at the end of January 2014.
For the quintet's latest output, the band has been able to land some well-known protagonists. Chris ‹Zeuss› Harris is responsible for the mix and mastering, the cover is by Andreas Marshall, the Berlin artist has worked for Blind Guardian, In Flames, Running Wild, among others, and the creator and guest solo guitarist is Andreas Kisser. The intro "Hymn To The Steel" is wonderfully old school with stomping hammer blows and still seems a bit like Battle Metal in the best Manowar tradition. This is followed by the title track "Steelcrusher", a fine thrash monster whose riff immediately burns deep into the drums. With a bloodcurdling scream, Yakir starts shrieking to the ground while Maayan abuses the skins. «Metal Rules Tonight» is a thrasher in front of the gentlemen, bursting with testosterone and adrenaline. «Into Hell» is also a neckbreaker par excellence, where for the first time the deep growls massively duel with Yakir's enraged screams. But Hammercult don't just drive exclusively in the deep red speed range, as the slightly hardcore "We Are The People" makes clear with its crew shouts. What starts as a classic heavy metal song quickly turns into a thrash number, only to juggle hardcore and modern frippery again in the middle part and this song also features Sepultura's Andreas Kisser.
HAMMERCULT - "Steelcrusher" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
«Burning The Road» has a delicious Motörhead memory riff, «Ironbound», which starts with harmonies, mutates a bit into Power Metallic babble and it's time to thrash wildly again. As soon as the wish is thought of, "Unholy Art" and the catchy tune "Satanic Lust" blast away, making it a real joy. It continues with "Liar" and a melodic solo and smashing vocals and "Damnation Arise" is really fun and shows the great skill of the entire band. The solos are short and sweet and always fit well into the respective songs. The most important trademark remains Yaki's organ, the use of which can only command respect. With the concluding «In The Name Of The Fallen», Hammercult have saved the best for last - an epic conclusion to an intense, aggressive and consistently melodic record.
The 13 songs have enough potential to pass as very good and to set themselves apart from the monotony of Thrash excesses. A really great, actually first-class Thrash album, in which the modern elements fit well into the songs and on the whole Hammercult roar carefree and with an incredible amount of fresh energy to the top of the Neo Old School Thrash Metal movement. For me, "Steelcrusher" is definitely one of the hottest contenders for the top 10 of 2014 and sets the bar of the genre quite high, because the mix makes it and in the great mass of bands that have dedicated themselves to the sound of the eighties are Hammercult a welcome rejuvenation! Thrash metal at its best!
Track list:
- Hymn To The Steel (Intro)
- Steel crusher
- Metal Rules Tonight
- Into Hell
- We Are The People (incl. Guitar solo by Sepultura`s Andreas Kisser)
- Burning The Road
- Ironbound
- Unholy art
- Satanic lust
- Liar
- Damnation Arise
- Heading For War
- In The Name Of The Fallen
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