Various Artists
Malevolence Records Tour Sampler 2012 ()
Wydane przez Malevolence RecordsRok wydania Kraj Napisał Wouter6
Once upon a time label samplers were the most cost-effective method for labels and distributors to promote their artists to a receptive global audience. In today’s times of digital promotion and ever-dwindling album sales the practice seems futile. American label Malevolence Records presents its four signees with two tracks each on this label sampler. Kaos, Absentia, Septic Christ and TCF (an abbreviation of Thrash Core Fanatics) all present two cuts from their most recent offerings on the label. Kaos, Septic Christ and TCF all play thrash metal of some kind. Kaos offer up lively and energetic Bay Area thrash in the tradition of Death Angel, Exodus, Slayer, Testament and the likes. The old school punk vocals might be acquired taste for some. Septic Christ (Germany) follows suit in these footsteps. TCF (Holland) does roughly the same thing, but chooses for a more hardcore belched vocal style and has more of a crossover vibe compared to the two other thrash acts present. Spain’s Absentia is the odd duck of the bunch. Their two tracks represent a respectable take on symfo death/black metal. Absentia doesn’t exactly sound evil, which is odd considering their chosen genre – but what they do is obviously crafted with a lot of attention to detail. Overall, this is a good representation of the label but it begs the question whether this release was necessary in the first place. Other than that, Malevolence Records seems to capitalize heavily on the retro thrash revival of the last 5 years and more. It would be prudent of them to branch out into other extreme genres (death metal, grindcore, tech metal, etc) in order to reach a broader audience once the thrash craze wears off. These minor flaws aside “Tour Sampler 2012” does what it is supposed to do, but that’s about it. It remains to be seen whether any of these acts will actually go places. A laudable initiative by an emerging label, that much is certain.
www.malevolence-records.us
