### Bolt Thrower: War master

#### 25/07/11 || Daemonomania

Bolt Thrower. A name that makes you think of mortars landing in trenches. Of machine guns and dying infantry. Of Chimay beer and awesome concert performances. They’ve released album after album of the same trudging, punishing death metal since WWII and would probably still be doing so if it weren’t for a 2008 UN declaration that prohibited ‘em from making new music as it incites worldwide belligerence.

Back in 1991 the BT formula was certainly in place, and the listener gets exactly the offensive what he/she/der kommandant would foresee. Those big warm signature riffs that are as fuzzy as they are neckbreakingly heavy. Karl “the Karlman’s” throaty rasp. Drumming and ladybass played accordingly (though I can’t hear a whole lotta distinguishable bass amidst the all-encompassing riffery). Songwriting that guarantees an ear-catching opening, a lot of the same for the middle, the occasional faster bit and a solo before marching to the next hamlet to be burned.

There are some standouts on “War mustard” – the title track, “Profane creation”, “Destructive infinity” and “Rebirth of humanity” in particular demand to be played often and loud. The rest is pleasing to the ear but doesn’t have the immediate hit-power of a latter-day beast like “When cannons fade”. So to keep things krieg I’ll say that when buying this don’t expect the unexpected (no matter what Control Denied mighta told ya). It’s another successful campaign under Bolt’s belt. Get it just to hear more general heavy lyrical content as opposed to the usual “Somme-where over the rainbow” recon point material. And remember, when faced with an extremely corny looking WAR MASTER like the dude on the cover of this CD, you have but one option: “you shall obey all that he commands”. Even the sexy stuff.

- Information
- Released: 1991
- Label: Earache
- Website: www.boltthrower.com
- Band
- Karl Willetts: vocals
- Gavin Ward: guitars
- Barry Thompson: guitars
- Jo Bench: bass
- Andrew Whale: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Intro… Unleashed (Upon Mankind)
- 02. What Dwells Within
- 03. The Shreds of Sanity
- 04. Profane Creation
- 05. Destructive Infinity
- 06. Final Revelation
- 07. Cenotaph
- 08. War Master
- 09. Rebirth of Humanity
- 10. Afterlife