Review by Felix on December 26, 2023.

Thankfully, the times are changing. Back in 1987, Neat Records did not want to print the real names of the members of Artillery on the back cover of their phenomenal second album "Terror Squad". The company thought seriously that these "unusual" Danish names could endanger the commercial success of the record. Only the initials of the Scandinavian thrash pioneers were printed. Bullshit. However, the ambitious thrashers of Battery can read their full names in the booklet. This is how things should be.

I did not know the band until I bought their debut. If you also do not know its music yet, let me assure you that they play extremely wild thrash metal and that "Armed with Rage" is a very suitable name for this album. Admittedly, "Sharp Riffs from Insane Danish Ruffians" or "Violent Lunacy Combined with Hellish Guitars" would have been less catchy titles for the record. But nevertheless, they would also have described its content in an appropriate manner. Battery is bursting with energy and their raging approach mirrors this fact impressively. High velocity thrash is their highest priority and blast beats appear occasionally in order to increase the dynamic of the songs. To verify this, just lend an ear to the fascinating opener "Narcotic Mirage". Every track is equipped with an overdose of high speed rhythms and that´s almost too much of a good thing. Generally spoken, I highly appreciate songs that are swift as an arrow. Nonetheless, one of my personal favourites on this album is "Vermin of Fukushima", not at least because of its creepy mid-tempo parts. It is the only piece where the powerful guitars gain the upper hand against the untameable yet highly competent drummer. The result is the most catchy song of "Armed with Rage". It is surely no coincidence that this tune is placed in the middle of the album in order to interrupt the constant high speed assault, albeit only for five minutes.

The band members wear shirts of Razor, Kreator ("Flag of Hate") and Morbid Angel so that everybody can imagine the level of Battery´s musical intensity. The old school rules. But its vehement songwriting approach is combined with a massive and very vigorous production. It has the strength to blow you away without jeopardizing the tradition-conscious flair of the music. Every instrument benefits from the mix. Even the pumping bass is well audible. And this is, as you all know, unfortunately not a matter of course. The hectic lead vocals impress, too. They add the necessary amount of hysteria without getting completely out of control.

With ferocious newcomers such as Battery, there is no need to be concerned about the future of thrash metal. The band has released a flawless debut. While walking the thin line between controlled attacks and pure chaos, each and every band member proves its technical skills as well as its credible attitude. Forget all these lukewarm neo thrash competitors and the ridiculous metalcore clowns. "Armed with Rage" is the real thing, although the cover artwork leaves room for improvement. If you want to know the highlights of the album, just read each and every song title.

Rating: 8.9 out of 10