10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 9)

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Infected – Dark Century (1989) [Switzerland]

As late 80s death/thrash goes, Infected‘s only album, Dark Century, is not only one of the best…. it’s a goddamn revelation!

These guys were dishing out the kind of pain that bands such as Malevolent Creation were two years away from creating and, alongside the likes of Num Skull and Incubus (the original Incubus, not those nu-metal, didgeridoo-playing wombats), Infected were pushing thrash into ever-heavier realms before the 80s had even finished. 

Resolutely thrash in the musicianship stakes, it was the throaty vocals of Amos Gersmann that pushed Dark Century into death/thrash territory, all underpinned by the drumming powerhouse that was Steve Karrer (Messiah).

As extreme as thrash could get in the late 80s, this little known cult classic still packs a punch and when the likes of “Media Control” and “State Oppression” (there’s a theme here) come out swinging, you’ll be left ruing the day you let this little beauty pass you by!

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Protector – Golem (1988) [Germany]

Easily as heavy (heavier even) than anything released by Kreator, Destruction, Sodom etc at the time, Protector‘s debut album was the sound of the German thrash underground at its most corrosive and most frightening. 

A relentless barrage of hyperactive, hyper-speed death / black / thrash riffs greeted those of us brave enough to embrace this sort of filth and an instant cult classic debut was born. Golem‘s blackened thrash attack was necro-enough to appeal to early Sodom, early Destruction and Possessed fans, and while the likes of Kreator were courting MTV, Protector were keeping the underground flame alive. 

Time may not been quite so kind to Golem‘s relatively rudimentary charms as nostalgia will probably lead you to believe…. but it still kicks almighty amounts of ass nonetheless! 

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Sudden Darkness – Fear Of Reality (1988) [Germany]

Sudden Darkness’ one and only release was a relatively decent slab of old-school thrash from this virtually unknown band. Kicking off with two epics (both “Freece Tricolori (Burning Flesh)” & “Devil Dope” both clock in at well over 6 mins) was a brave move, with speed and nimble-fingered agility creating an initially complex, technical thrash feel.

This approach doesn’t quite continue throughout the remainder of Fear of Reality with the band regressing to a more direct MO from then on in (“Thrash Up” speaks for itself).

Overall, Fear of Reality is nothing spectacular – and doesn’t quite match up to the best the late 80s German thrash scene was coughing up – but it’s certainly solid enough and well worth a listen!

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United – Bloody But Unbowed (1990) [Japan]

At first glance, United‘s debut full length may appear to lack the cutting edge required to lift it out of the quagmire of also-ran thrash bands, but there’s more to Bloody But Unbowed than it often receives credit for.

Coming at you like a chugging freight train, there’s a whole lot of Bay Area thrashin’ lying at the heart of United’s art and the result is a moderately technical thrash album, with mountainous grooves also informing much of their sound.

In particular, “The Plague” bounces along like a space-hopper riding toddler who’s just scoffed a £20 bag of pick ‘n’ mix and should please fans of Atrophy and their ilk.

Ultimately, Bloody But Unbowed is a rarity that’s well worth checkin’ out. Even if it’s just for curiosity’s sake alone!

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Vacant Grave – Life Or Death (1990) [USA]

Permanent residents of obscure-town, Missouri’s Vacant Grave may not have registered in the wider scene but their one and only album, 1990’s Life Or Death, is more than just an interesting footnote in thrash metal history.

Admittedly, Life Or Death‘s woeful production values hamper its progress but there’s more than enough Sadus-esque death/thrash to Vacant Grave‘s muffled sounds to warrant further inspection.

Semi-technical and yet as ramped up on ferocity as the likes of Rigor Mortis and early Sacrifice, it’s when Vacant Grave go full on gonzo that their ability to shit in the face of predictability shines through – particularly on the maddening and erratic “Widespread Affliction”, which hits an unorthodox home run at the first time of asking.

Also in this Series:

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 1)

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 2)

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 3)

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 4)

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 5)

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

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need To Hear! (Part 7)

10 Obscure Old-School Thrash Albums You Need to Hear! (Part 8)