BOLT THROWER - IN BATTLE THERE IS NO LAW - JUNE 12, 1988
Bolt Thrower is a band renowned for their continuity, each of their albums you can depend on hearing the same sound and style that they have perfected over the years. The only exception to this rule is their debut album "In Battle There Is No Law" in which you can thumb beneath its crusty exterior the foundations of their signature riffs and styles that will define them thereafter.
The influences are apparent when examining the environment and breeding ground in which their sound was born during England's ruling punk alternative scene at this time. A lot of the extreme metal bands then were focused on playing as fast as possible more so than being focused on technicality. The faster than thou card. Basically what inspired the sound of bands like Repulsion and Napalm Death trying to be faster than each other in their own speed war. On this first album the crustier punk feel comes from the sheer bludgeoning speed of some of the music as best portrayed in the song "Denial of Destiny". Similar in some senses that its rough around the edges for the sake of speed, at the end of the day though it brings to the table a completely different spin and sound. They have more than enough variety on the album besides the quality of assaulting speed to set it apart as can be heard more prominently in the song "Forgotten Existence" in which they find a momentum of clarity and skill that will turn any listener into an addict of their style.
The booming war drums heard at the outset of the song "In Battle There Is No Law" call out for battle and it is delivered wholeheartedly. It also marks the beginning of a war that has now spanned over two decades of releases. How would you crossover someone that's into the hardened scum ridden side of punk into death metal? I would start by giving them three helpings of this album for dinner and a dose of Napalm Death for desert. This is assuredly an album that would hook them and have them crying out for a medic on the battlefield in no time.
Highlights: Forgotten Existence, Challenge for Power
Rating: 8.5/10
The influences are apparent when examining the environment and breeding ground in which their sound was born during England's ruling punk alternative scene at this time. A lot of the extreme metal bands then were focused on playing as fast as possible more so than being focused on technicality. The faster than thou card. Basically what inspired the sound of bands like Repulsion and Napalm Death trying to be faster than each other in their own speed war. On this first album the crustier punk feel comes from the sheer bludgeoning speed of some of the music as best portrayed in the song "Denial of Destiny". Similar in some senses that its rough around the edges for the sake of speed, at the end of the day though it brings to the table a completely different spin and sound. They have more than enough variety on the album besides the quality of assaulting speed to set it apart as can be heard more prominently in the song "Forgotten Existence" in which they find a momentum of clarity and skill that will turn any listener into an addict of their style.
The booming war drums heard at the outset of the song "In Battle There Is No Law" call out for battle and it is delivered wholeheartedly. It also marks the beginning of a war that has now spanned over two decades of releases. How would you crossover someone that's into the hardened scum ridden side of punk into death metal? I would start by giving them three helpings of this album for dinner and a dose of Napalm Death for desert. This is assuredly an album that would hook them and have them crying out for a medic on the battlefield in no time.
Highlights: Forgotten Existence, Challenge for Power
Rating: 8.5/10
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