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Two years have passed since the bomb was born and we now have a new album from the German fighting machine, Hatchery. Old school Thrash Metal is alive and well in the Rhineland. Following their debut, Birth of a Bomb, Hatchery have unleashed an invasion in Forced to Fight. It is easy to see that nothing has really changed since that first album as Hatchery have stayed true to their style of music, anxiously holding the torch of the 80s. It is good to know that the army of the old school still marches firm.

What I found a bit peculiar was that nothing has changed with regards to musical quality from the debut. When I reviewed the band's first album, I was sure I was going to be blown to pieces. Instead, I found it an ordinary Thrash experience. With Forced to Fight I was expecting much more as Hatchery seem damned serious. Unfortunately, I was again disappointed.

I like the band's Thrash roots and their general musical direction. I found them close to countrymen Kreator as well as Overkill, old Megadeth and Razor. Some of their riffs are plain killers and left quite an impression. Hatchery mashed the ground with songs like "Genocide," "Forced to Fight," "Thrash Metal Union," "Little Brother," "Nothing" and "Song 2.0." Others tracks don't even qualify as "fair." And the production did little to enhance the Thrash experience.

After checking further, I realized it wasn't necessarily the production that hampered Forced to Fight. The main trouble is with what is called phase resolution. To put it simply; some of the instruments, like lead guitar, vocals and most of the drums can only be heard on the left channel, while other instruments are heard on both (i.e. in stereo). That is a major drag as the left channel instruments are crucial. Hatchery is fit to fight as far as I'm concerned. They have the 80s as their main influence and seem to have plenty of motivation to become better. Forced to Fight could have been better than the debut, but the sound and some of the material really hold it back. I am sure that, in another two years, these guys will unleash their Extreme Aggression, Years of Decay or Shotgun Justice. Let's wait...