Electric Warfare

Electric Warfare is the fifth album from Deathhammer, who play blackened thrash that lands somewhere between the unhinged chaos of early Voïvod and the fast, ripping brutality of Hellhammer, with a dash of Slayer's high-pitched wailing. It is a record that starts strong with both "Savage Aggressor" and "Crushing the Pearly Gates" living up to their titles as the band unleashes hellish riffing that scythes through any eardrums in their path. The energy of these songs crackles out of the speakers. Deathhammer rarely let up on the gas and that is a bit of a detriment as by the time songs like "Rapid Violence" roll around, Electric Warfare has become a blur of buzzing guitars and screaming. Even the occasional breakdowns can't make cuts like "Thrown to the Abyss" or "Thirst for Ritual" as memorable as earlier songs, so it trends a bit generic toward the end. If there was a bit more variation, like the awesome mid-tempo riffing in the middle of "Violent Age of Bloodshed," I think the album would be better. Still, if you want absolutely face-melting black/thrash, Deathhammer will gladly supply the flames.