Division Speed - Division Speed (2015)^{Release ID: 11051}

Germany’s Division Speed play a brand of frantic speed/thrash metal that although lacking in blackened traits, still manages to promote such an ethos and mentality with their rampant energy and unceasing intensity. Barely pausing for breath on this their only full-length, this is speed metal done how speed metal should be done. The frenetic riffing really shines through on the band’s debut effort with the use of gang vocals bringing a real thrash sound to the album also.

Embracing the tongue-in-cheek nature of their sound the band all name themselves with various aliases. Tailgunner, Hunter, Venomessiah and Aggressive Perfector all listed as band members. Even the guest (gang) vocals include credits for the ludicrously named Beast and Henry Metal. Main vocalist Hunter deploys a gruff and breathy vocal style that echoes around the album as they remain the focal point of much of the album.

In terms of variety overall though, as I mentioned earlier these guys tend to have this full-on approach to their song writing and barring a couple instrumental tracks you are pretty much in for more and more of the same for fourteen tracks. Let’s not forget that this is a speed/thrash metal record though and if we wanted complexity, variety, and a plethora of influences we’d probably be writing a review in The Infinite clan after all. There are still some monstrous builds on here though (Black Wolves) that do real justice to the bands maturity and ability to make vibrant and utterly scathing speed/thrash metal.

Tracks like Blazing Heat showcase the ability of the band perfectly, using sonic leads atop the relentless pacing to great effect. This track is tiring to listen to in so many regards but again those gang vocals break up the intensity somewhat making the unforgiving tempo much more palatable.

Not sure if there are plans for a sophomore release but based on this I would welcome more stuff from these guys with open arms.