Why didn’t somebody tell me we were back in 1983??...and since when did Metallica’s “Kill em All”, Anthrax’s “Fistful of Metal” and Exodus’ “Bonded by Blood” have a baby named Mantic Ritual?

Pennsylvania based thrashers Mantic Ritual from start to finish deliver eleven tracks of no frills full on 80s style thrash metal for their debut “Executioner”. I mean this stuff is so old school its ridiculous (and I mean that in a good way), just listen to the title track, “Death and Destruction”, and tell me they are not inspired by something from “Kill em All”.

There are times when I clearly hear moments of early Metallica and Anthrax, not only Exodus in the music but also Paul Baloff in the vocals, to lesser known bands like the short lived Evil Dead, and 80s hardcore skater bands like D.R.I.

If you are not running around your room moshing to the rhythm change in “One by One”, the instantaneous groove to “Double the Blood”, “Murdered to Death”, and “Panic” (no its not the Anthrax song) knocking over the trinkets on your dresser, then something is wrong. The energy level is always high, grooves are infectious, the playfulness is undeniable, and the shredding is endless.

All around a very strong thrash debut for 2009. “Executioner” is classic yet fresh sounding.
These guys really took me by surprise and to boot I don’t think there is much buzz about em which is unfortunate.

Mantic Ritual are surely one of the potential survivors to be hatched from this New Wave of Thrash Metal if they play their cards right and what a way to introduce themselves than with such a tight well constructed debut. Hopefully Mantic didn’t blow their load already because I’m looking forward to a few more albums.