• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Ah yes. I love this stuff. Mandatory Suicide (named after the Slayer song) are a technical thrash metal band from Amsterdam whose influences include 80's thrash bands such as early Metallica (I always feel the need to add "early" when referring to that band in a positive way), Megadeth, Slayer and others. Vocally, I hear some resemblance to early Anthrax and a hint of early Metallica, which is quite fitting to the music here. The musical influences are clearly noticeable, but this is no rip-off - the band does have its own sound mixed in. The result is some very well played and entertaining thrash metal with that 80's sound that I think is absolutely essential to thrash. No fake crap in here, this is the real deal.

The sixth song starts with a very weird pledge-like talk that almost sounds like it belongs to the beginning of a National Rifle Association meeting. I had to check to make sure they really were from Amsterdam and not the US when I heard this. ;)Anyway, it sure is an attention catcher, and depending on my mood I found it either funny or annoying. You be the judge! :) I've been informed that the intro comes from the movie "Full Metal Jacket, and the band used it to show how crazy people behave in the time of war - If servicemen actually said this, I have to say that "crazy" is the approriate term!! The song itself is killer, but then again all 7 tracks on this demo are very good. It's worth mentionning that, considering this is a demo, the sound is very good.

This is some REAL metal with no additives such as keyboards - crunching guitars, catchy solos, damn good drum work, and clean, aggressive vocals. You have to love this! Hopefully those guys will get signed soon and release some more of this good stuff. Thrash metal fans, do yourself a favor and check those guys out!