Warbringer are an American thrash metal band formed in 2004. Century Media Records signed Warbringer originally and released their debut, War Without End, in 2008. Warbringer‘s second album, Waking into Nightmares, was released in 2009. The album reached No. 14 on the chart. Despite numerous line-up changes Warbringer have released four full-length albums on Century Media before moving to Napalm Records for their new release, Woe To The Vanquished.
We open the album with “Silhouettes” and an assault of bruising guitar work and intense drumming. This is thrash at its finest! We move onto the title track, “Woe To The Vanquished”. It has slight elements of Death Angel vocals, which I love. Maybe not regarding the high notes as no one can touch Mark Osegueda can they? Let’s be honest, this is another foot to the floor ear bleeder great drumming again.
“Remain Violent” has an awesome riff, very much Exodus sounding. A really fantastic song and most probably my favourite on the whole album with some great gang choruses and superb solo work. “Shellfire” again gets you on your feet and pumping your fist and maybe starting your own pit in your lounge.
“Descending Blade” is another instant thrash classic. This band is fantastic! I just wonder if they were around in the thrash heyday if they would have hit the big time? I believe they would have and I personally cannot wait to see them touring in the UK this August with Death Angel. “Spectral Asylum” has an awesome intro and is slightly different sounding to the other tracks, a lot more plodding and my least favourite on this record.
“Divinity Of Flesh” really gets the ball rolling again with the pounding guitars and grunty vocals once more blasting at us through the speakers. We finish the album with “When The Guns Fell Silent”. A mammoth 11-minute monster and a real journey which is thoroughly enjoyable but again I like the faster tracks, to be honest.
This is a great thrash album! If you haven’t discovered this band, you need to also revisit the back catalogue which is equally as good. A massive thumbs up from me.
Mark 9 out of 10
Colin “Starchild” Francis
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr3rmfmzlr4[/embedyt]
