ALBUM REVIEW: Deathhammer – Chained To Hell

Today I bring a 3rd review, this time of legendary Norwegian Thrash Metallers DEATHHAMMER with their upcoming full length to be released in October via Hells Headbangers Records. This is an album a lot of people are excited for, myself included, so let us see what the Nordic madmen have to offer this time around!

1. Rabid Maniac Force comes straight in with chaotic riffing, blasting drums, Celtic Frost worshipping madness. The vocals are absolutely hellish with highs enough to catch anyone off guard. This music is real madness, nothing fancy, just balls to the wall, frantic Speed Metal fury at its very best. I love the absolutely unforgiving, in your face approach this band never backs down with, this is not for your average alternative friend, but a fan of psychotically maniacal metal music. The guitar solo is so damn catchy, loved the classic vibe of it. Amazing opening track.
2. Satans Hell follows suit with bombastic drums and furthered ferocity, the seasoned black-thrash-speed musicians really attack you in every aspect of the music, from individual instruments, vocals and through to the production. The clearly antagonistic sounds are not for everyone, but this is a fine example of how to really deliver a punch. Lovers of melody and technicality beware, this music is absolutely chaos and the punk infused ending shows that perfectly.
3. Black Speed Inferno brings rock n roll tempos to a new high, with more awe-inspiring noise and shrieked vocals, the band show no sign whatsoever of chilling out with their music, and why should they? The raw energy captured in these recordings is unparalleled by other recent releases from the genre, with the mood and feel of each song feeling completely honest and genuine. This is the music to which many people can go absolutely crazy without regard for anything else.
4. Threshold Of Doom rampages on, the songs taking no rest. The sheer force of this album thus far is absolutely incredible, the riffs are fast and really catchy with tons of groove and bite to them. The drums pound away frantically and the vocals are absolutely nail biting to listen to. The insane tempos of these tracks is absolutely ludicrous, I love it. This track feels like if you got Hellhammer to do a cover of Witchfynde and then sped it up, absolutely nuts.
5. Tormentor comes in with some badass drumming and furthers the furious riffing and hellish vocals evermore. The song does in fact torment you with its breakneck speeds and relentless approach, they earned the title. The riffs have a really nice catchy punk inspired feel to the chord choice but played with speedy mute picking of course. The pounding drums haven’t let up at all really which has been cool, the short section of just guitar sounds really nice, this mix is ultra raw but everything is perfectly audible. Finally the high screams that we have heard throughout the album are certainly not getting old, they’re damn impressive though. The groove in the tracks is something that they impressively keep despite the high octane speeds, the solo is as chaotic as ever too which I really enjoyed. Another speed-fuelled masterpiece.
6. Into The Burning Pentagram had a moment of clean guitar, some slower tempos and simple bass drum use, this really wasn’t expected by me. The more upbeat march of the track is really cool and the change in piece is a nice break, keeping things new. The bell chime is haunting and it all comes together perfectly when the haunting King Diamond inspired lead guitar work comes in (real Andy LaRoque vibe going on with it), great stuff and a song that is really interesting as I have no idea where it will go next. There is a perfect ghoulish feel to the music, loving it. The bass tone is really warm in this track especially, the build up is really strong and before we know it the song is ending, without any ridiculous speeds this time, strange! That lead guitar riff is so haunting, absolutely stunning to listen to. The ending sample is a really cool little touch as well!
7. Chained To Hell brings the breakneck speed back, I knew it wouldn’t be gone long, and it is a welcome return! The vocals seem to be a bit lower on this track and sound demonic as hell. Although everything has remained fairly similar throughout, it is still captivating to listen to, without getting boring in any way, which I must say for such primal, insane music is a really impressive thing to achieve. The song is perfect to yell along to, which I am sure will be happening a lot when I get hold of this physically. The later parts with more shouted vocals over frantic guitar, bass and drums sounds purely evil, absolutely maniacal.
8. Evil finishes this absolute masterpiece of an album with, you guessed it, speed! More blasting drums, blistering riffs and morbid vocals call out to the listener for one final round in the abyss of chaos. The track shows that just because the album is drawing out, the music doesn’t have to. Rather than using this as a chance to grind the wheel to a halt, the band decide instead to pack in one more high velocity piece of asylum worthy mania. Their sense of attack is so on point, the guitar solo is face melting and the whole song just gives you one more curb stomp to the ears. Catchy, more melodic riffs appear along with some slower tempos, but it doesn’t feel like any energy is lost at all. Absolute banger for an ending piece. Phenomenal work.

If you enjoy first wave Black Metal, early Speed/Thrash Metal or simply wish NWOBHM had more bite to it, this release is certainly one that’ll tear you a new one. This is another killer example from a well-respected act in the Norwegian scene, and for good reason. -9/10