• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Digital Race is the debut for Redshark, a Spanish band reaching back to the ‘80s, not for the typical traditional or thrash inspirations, but that hard to pin down but so sweet when done right power/thrash sound. Speed, throat-rending yells, buzzsaw riffing, and speed (did I mention speed?) are this band’s stock and trade and they let it rip for much of the album with just an occasional let up. The obvious name whenever ‘80s power/thrash is mentioned is Vicious Rumors, and Redshark certainly bear some similarities, but the singer has more of a sandpaper delivery, not dissimilar to Bobby Blitz from Overkill, and while I like his voice, he could stand to vary his steady wail little more. When they aren’t playing balls to the wall, Redshark allow the guitars sit back and the bass and drums to drive songs like "I’m Falling," which has an Armored Saint vibe, and they even drop a quick instrumental that brings to mind a cross between the music from Blade Runner and Escape from New York. Love that old Casio synthesizer sound and it is a short track, so it doesn’t wear out its welcome. The ballad "Pallid Hands" is tolerable but where Redshark make their bones is on blazers like "Digital Race" and "The Death Rides." The cover art is awesomely ‘80s as well, and I really hope the Redshark character comes back for future releases, à la Eddie and Vic Rattlehead. Grab a copy of you’ve had enough of Bay Area thrash or the black/thrash revival, but you have a need for speed. Digital Race will not let you down.