Genre: Thrash

Label: Heavy Artillery Records

IS Rating: 6

Comments: Obscure thrash quartet awaken from a 20-year slumber.

Release Date: August 22, 2009

On its first few seconds of music, woozy feedback drips from your speakers before opener “Assassins” kicks in. It’s a grim track that harkens to the primitive stages of 80’s thrash metal. For a better idea of how At War go about the business imagine early Slayer and the first wave from the German school—that’s yer favorite Sodom and Kreator. “Assassins” drives home the band’s unending fixation on slaying one’s enemies and warfare in general. If you ever thought an AK 47 was a work of art, you’ll dig At War’s dim worldview.

The interesting factoid about this quartet is they’ve lain dormant for two decades until Heavy Artillery Records, that US label that’s fast emerging as a sanctuary for every stripe of ‘true’ metal, be it retro thrash or NWOBHM, gave these right wing long hairs a new lease on life.

Judging by the album cover, At War apparently hasn’t shook off the 9/11 daze that defined the earlier part of this decade. Why should they? A world teeming with terrorists and driven by conflict is the ultimate imaginary setting for thrash metal, thereby explaining such vitriolic tunes as “Want You Dead,” “Deceit,” and “Vengeful Eyes.” Yet for all their political posturing and tributes to the American soldier—“Deceit” and “Semper Fi”—At War have little relevance in the grand scheme of things besides being same old same old.

Honestly now, you’ve heard the decibels, lyrics, guitar solos, and gruff vocals on a dozen similar thrash records from somewhere. A re-energized Testament circa last year’s “Formation of Damnation” At War are certainly not, yet for those craving the good ole days of yore and music averse to political correctness (you just know a European audience might not be too keen on these guys), At War provide a violent soundtrack from hell’s heart.

Miquel Blardony