« Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die »
Prosthetic Records
2013
Within the last ten years there has been a steady influx of thrash metal bands reclaiming the glory days of the 1980’s, when tight black jeans and white Nike high tops were the official uniform of a bevy of Metal fans! With bands such as Evile, Havok and Bonded by Blood, a new generation can finally enjoy THEIR brand of thrash while enjoying the Classics of the past. Hailing from Boston Massachusetts, Ramming Speed is certainly a heady band of thrash revivalists combining the power of Speed Metal with the bombast of Grind!
Since their inception in 2007, Ramming Speed have upped the ante for traditional Thrash Metal with their first Ep, Full Speed Ahead and now have unveiled Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die, a massive attack of no-holds barred thrash with gritty grind for good measure! The title track perfectly admonishes the band’s pension for all out chaos and gusto, with screaming guitars and blasts beats and sets to right tone for the rest of the album. Anticipating Failure, Gorgon’s Eye, Ashes and Extinction Event all prove Ramming Speed’s “no frills Metal mission”. Incorporating very little finesse or melody, Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die is an ugly album, rife with beautiful urgency!
Vocally, Pete Gallagher’s throat produces a hearty death growl interspersed with the occasional raspy retch to full effect, especially on Dead Flags. His vocal also lends credence to slower, head banging numbers like Anthems of Despair, in which he sounds vaguely similar to Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, particularly during the song’s verses. Anthems of Despair isn’t the only song to include a stylistic change from the thrash/grind charge. Ministry of Truth and Hollow Giants are also slower in pace but no less seething in virulence. Musically, the songs stand out from the rest of the album, which is advantageous seeing as without those, the album may feel like one long song, which may be a tad off putting to some.
With only one full length under their collective belts, (2008’s Brainwreck) Ramming Speed have charged out of the gate with Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die matching the intensity and upping the venom! An album with force and conviction, the Boston lads will surely win over fans and completely destroy city after city on tour with this one! So pull up those black jeans, tie up those white sneakers and push those arms through you favorite Thrash Metal band shirt, ‘cause Ramming Speed may head your way!
Here’s the title track put on youtube by their label Prosthetic Records.
Standout Tracks: Anthems of Despair, Ashes, Hollow Giants, Dead Flags
8/10
Chris
