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DARKNESS "The Death Squad Chronicles"
DARKNESS "The Death Squad Chronicles"
By Dr. Abner Mality
There's probably no bigger "shoulda been big" story in German thrash metal than Essen's DARKNESS. Always a cult band, they really had the potential to be right up there with SODOM, KREATOR, TANKARD, et. al at the top of the Kraut thrash heap. Somehow they've hung in there for 40 years without a breakthrough but also with no surrender.
"The Death Squad Chronicles" is mostly a re-recording of classic DARKNESS tracks for a new audience, coupled with a pair of new songs. Lots of old acts are doing the "redux" deal these days and while that seems overdone, it gives people a chance to check out this classic German thrash band that they never had the chance to hear before. People like yours truly! This is my first real encounter with the legends.
It's easy to see what the hype was about. This is simple but effective thrash performed with balls-out intensity. DARKNESS is not a real technical band and that makes their tunes easy to get into. I can't compare this to the original recordings, but I'm betting the sound here is MUCH improved. There's a real growl and bite to the guitars and the drums are snapping. "Death Squad" is perhaps their most famous song and it sure kicks ass here. But the one that really blew my doors off was "The Last One's On Us", which is just a neck-snapping classic that surely stands with the very best of SODOM or DESTRUCTION. "Burial At Sea" and "Defenders of Justice" are a bit more complex and technical without going overboard and show their talent.
The last two tracks are the new ones. "Predetermined Destiny" is the longest and most involved track and I have to say it's not the best. Lee's vocals are exposed here, as they sound sloppy and more slurred than usual. Better all the way around is "Proud Pariah", a great straightforward anthem that compares favorably to the older likes of "Death Squad" and "Soldiers".
"The Death Squad Chronicles" serves not only as a tribute to these veterans, but a great introduction to the "dark horse" of German thrash!
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