The Thrash Metal Thread

Nasty Savage - "Abstract Reality" E.P. (1988)

I never really got on with the early releases from this Florida outfit with both their 1985 self-titled & 1987 "Indulgence" albums falling pretty flat with me. It wasn't until this short twenty-minute, four-song E.P. that they started to tweak my interest although I wouldn't say that it left me thoroughly convinced either. It saw Nasty Savage further embracing the new thrash metal sound they'd adopted for "Indulgence" & making a reasonable fist of it too. The highlights are definitely seen when they don't overcomplicate things with the more technical "Eromantic Vertigo" proving to be a step too far. "Unchained Angel" sees them returning to their more traditional heavy metal & US power metal roots which certainly isn't my preference either. Thankfully, the conventional thrash metal of the two songs that bookend this release are solid enough to carry the weaker middle section in the middle & leave me with a generally positive feeling at the completion of the release. The Mercyful Fate-inspired guitar solos of Ben Meyer & David Austin are particularly impressive &, despite not thinking front man Nasty Ronnie's vocal delivery was anything to write home about, the experience would see me following Nasty Savage throughout the remainder of their career.

For fans of Hallows Eve, Destructor & Exorcist.

3.5/5

Nuclear Assault - "Handle with Care" (1989)

The third full-length from these Queens-based thrashers was my introduction to Nuclear Assault at the time of release & is still my pick of their discography to this day. I've always liked the band's 1980's records with releases like 1986's "Game Over" & 1987's "The Plague" E.P. receiving regular replays from me in the several decades since. "Handle with Care" is perhaps a little more consistently thrashy than some of their earlier efforts though & I think that probably helps its cause with someone like myself. It's bookended by two absolute belters in "New Song" & 
Trail of Tears", both of which sit amongst my favourite Nuclear Assault tracks, & this certainly holds the album in good stead but the rest of the twelve-song tracklisting is consistently engaging too with only the confusing inclusion of the fairly redundant novelty tune "Funky Noise" failing to capture me. The gritty vocals of front man John Connelly are right up my alley while I also enjoy the hardcore edge that the band display at times. While I wouldn't go into "Handle with Care" expecting to hear anything terribly original, there are some great thrash riffs on offer & I'm surprised at the fairly lackluster ratings of our regulars thus far because I would have thought this would be essential listening for most of our The Pit clan members.

For fans of Anthrax, Overkill & Vio-lence.

4/5