10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 6)

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The classics are all well and good but there’s a shit ton of obscure thrash out there that demands to be heard! To that end, we’ve selected ANOTHER 10 obscure old-school thrash albums you NEED to hear.

And, this is just Part 6…..there’s plenty more to come!

Addictive – Pity Of Man (1989) [Australia]

Australian thrashers Addictive may be no more than a footnote in the history of thrash metal but, for a short time in the late 80’s, these Antipodean anarchists were one of the leading bands in the Aussie scene.

Playing hard and fast, it appears that Addictive were influenced by the usual suspects of the era (Metallica, Sacred Reich, Dark Angel, Testament) and a decent attempt at James Hetfield mimicry in the vocal department backs up that assumption. Opener “Get Out Of My Life” took the direct approach and much of Pity of Man subsequently stuck to a similar path; one built around ultimate aggression backed by socio-conscious lyrics.

While not quite in the same league as fellow countrymen Mortal Sin and Hobbs’ Angel of Death, Addictive were still addictive enough (sic) to make a mark on an overcrowded scene and Pity Of Man should be considered somewhat of a lost treasure!

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Aspid (Аспид) – Extravasation (Кровоизлияние) (1993) [Russia]

Right time, wrong place. That’s the situation Russian technical thrashers Aspid (Аспид) found themselves in when they released their technically audacious debut album, Extravasation (Кровоизлияние) in 1993.

Had this monster of an album been released by an American or a German band we suspect that Aspid’s name would be mentioned in the same breath as cult legends Intruder and Deathrow. Instead, Extravasation is but a footnote in a scene that – with wider exposure – would surely have embraced these talented individuals with open arms. Blame the distribution (originally a limited vinyl release) for its relative failure but don’t the blame the performances and the song writing, because Aspid were equal to their lauded peers in every respect; often pushing their progressive/technical thrash into death metal territory while remaining resolutely committed to surprising the listener at every turn. 

Uniquely dark, aggressive, mesmerising and menacing, Aspid’s one and only release deserves far more than to rot in obscurity…..it demands to be heard!

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Blind Illusion – The Sane Asylum (1988) [USA]

Blind Illusion‘s debut is a cult item of considerable aplomb, growing in stature as the years roll by and claiming its place as one of thrash metal’s unsung gems!

Featuring guitarist Larry LaLonde (Possessed) and bassist Les Claypool (before they went on to form Primus) and produced by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, The Sane Asylum is one of those unique recordings which practically defies categorisation, such is its idiosyncratic nature and distinct lack of conformity.

An alchemic brew of jazz-influenced, progressive time changes and abstract song structures, The Sane Asylum was conveniently wrapped up in a technical thrash bow, a description which doesn’t even come close to describing the sheer madness at work here.

Quite unlike anything recorded before or since!

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Concrete Sox – Whoops Sorry Vicar! (1987) [UK]

Crossover kings Concrete Sox may not be the first name that pops into your head when you think of UK thrash but there was enough thrash to their hardcore punk sound to warrant inclusion here!

With an overall attitude reeking of sneering hardcore punk, it’s left to the music to lean towards ‘the thrash’ and the raw 1 minute 17 seconds explosion of “Scientific Slaughter” remains a crossover classic. 

There’s obviously humour aplenty (you don’t title your album Whoops Sorry Vicar! if you aren’t prone to jesting), and the genius of “Moustache (Acting Like a Maniac)” – which ably rips the piss out of Metallica‘s “Whiplash” – retains its value! 

As far as crossover thrash goes, you can safely file Concrete Sox alongside UK hardcore/crust punk/crossover thrash royalty such as Sacrilege, Onslaught, Cerebral Fix and Deviated Instinct. 

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Cyclone – Inferior To None (1990) [Belgium]

Suffering from severe underexposure dented Cyclone’s chances of ever escaping the underground but Inferior To None (a convincingly apt title if ever we’ve head one!) should have been the album to achieve it.

Four years on from their relatively meat n’ potatoes debut, Brutal Destruction, and these guys had used the time well; finding their groove and improving on every aspect of their sound with universally stunning results. Embracing a technical thrash aesthetic, Cyclone had upped their game considerably with some of the tightest playing around and a gamut of ear-pleasing solos in their back pocket. 

Inferior To None is practically perfect thrash. 

Why isn’t it more well-known? Go figure!