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Review: Deathrow - Raging Steel
Deathrow
deathrowmetal.bandcamp.com
Raging Steel

Label: Displeased Records
Year released: 2008
Originally released in: 1987
Duration: 42:11
Tracks: 9
Genre: Thrash Metal

Rating:
4.75/5


Review online: July 27, 2009
Reviewed by: Hermer Arroyo
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.08/5 (81.54%) (26 Votes)
Review

>Deathrow were an unknown Thrash Metal band from Germany and this is their second album, Raging Steel. They had their own sound while having the characteristics that made Thrash from that part of the world so recognizable, like the vast amount of punishing riffs and the speed that was common for that era. This disc is packed with great songs given the fact that it contains no filler whatsoever. But also this album has a lot of shout along choruses that work surprisingly well. After the mandatory intro, the assault begins with the title track and from there Deathrow continues to kick your ass with numbers like "Scattered by the Wind", "Dragon's Blood" and the closer "Beyond the Light".

This band had better musicianship than the big three of German Thrash. They were one of the first bands from that region to use the twin guitar attack from the very beginning (at least that I am aware of). Singer/bassist Milo had a solid mid range voice and could pull pretty impressive high notes; his bass playing is good and audible. Guitarists Sven Flügge and Thomas Priebe steal the show; every song here is a personal showcase of their skills, delivering riffs and leads that are both crushing and catchy at the same time. But don't get me wrong – there isn't a single trace of progressive jerk off here as they were too good of songwriters for that. The drummer Markus Hahn complements the band very well; he brings the necessary element of precise percussion that the songs required.

The disc is almost perfect and the only flaw that I found was the lyrical aspect. It is nothing out of this world but still it is a total nitpick and it can't hold back such a strong music. To me Raging Steel is the best record that this band ever made but unfortunately never got the recognition that they truly deserve. Essential for fans of old school German Thrash, this is an album that cannot be missed and must be heard at least once in your lifetime.

More about Deathrow...
Interview with drummer Markus Hahn on July 9, 2023 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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