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Germany was, hands down, truly a hotbed in Europe in the '80s for producing some of greatest names in the Thrash Metal genre. Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Tankard, Assassin, Exumer, etc. By now we all know how this list goes on, don't we?

Tempest, a four-piece act coming from Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, represents the second coming of German Thrash Metal bands. The band was formed in 2013 and it took them five years to get their first official release out, this six-track EP titled When Hate Has Dominion.

What is it they say about experience and learning meaning everything?

I think it's a good thing that these lads took their time and not rushed into the studio with a bunch of half-assed, sloppy songs because otherwise, the result of their recording sessions would probably have been something totally different. This band is one of my better findings in recent years. Tempest's music is strongly influenced by the eighties Bay Area Thrash Metal phenomenon, with pretty strong flavors of both Exodus and Testament in their sound, definitely not something I expected to hear. The music is very well executed, sharply and tightly played and with a top-notch production, often raging around like a wounded, big bull but also with some softer and more melodic moments. Each song is carefully built up and stands out very well, begging for repeated listens. Philipe Piris, behind the mic, fits the music like a glove. I guess I am not the only person claiming that he sounds a lot like a cross of Phil Rind (of Sacred Reich fame) and Steve "Zetro" Souza (Exodus).

It is kind of strange that they had to release this excellent, very much riff-tastic slab on their own because if I had run a record label myself, I would have released this goodie without any hesitation. It's just a matter of time before some label realizes the band's potential. Meanwhile, check out this highly recommended EP.