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China is still is a bit of a mystery for many when it comes to Heavy Metal music and all its sub-genres. From Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, comes this 4-piece Thrash Metal band called Explosicum that formed back in September 2005. Since then they have released a couple of demos and one single and two full-length studio albums, both on China's AreaDeath Productions.

Raging Living is Explosicum's second album and it was already released by another Chinese label, Stress Hormones Records, on vinyl (with a different, better looking cover) and AreaDeath Productions decided to give the album a CD treatment.

Raging Living counts on fierce and aggressive riffing that strongly leans in the Bay Area's direction and reminds me of early Vio-lence and Exodus. Throw in some of the viciousness of Slayer in their teens and you have a good idea of how Explosicum brings their Thrash Metal out from the cellar. This is marvelously executed, neck-stretching and violent 80's-tinged old school Thrash Metal at its best. What they lack in production (the drums sound a bit too much like a tin can) they make up for with sheer intensity and brutality. Explosicum knows how to thrash and I cannot do much else but enjoy them at the fullest and wish them well in the future. Killer band.