Review by Felix on September 3, 2024.

Ladies and gentlemen of our quasi-religious music community, our prayers did not fall on deaf ears. "Give us today our daily thrash newcomers" - and here we have Speedrush from Greece. Okay, they are not absolute beginners and released already a single in 2008, but that's another story... Old school thrash is the playground of the guys from Athens and their best tracks have the power to make the Acropolis crumble. Despite the moronic artwork - you may call it socio-critical if you like - and the unimaginative album title, this debut shines with half an hour of music that can release endorphins. Only minor defects hurt the overall impression. Anyway, let's start with these shortcomings.

First and foremost, the sixth number is absolutely superfluous. I listen to an idiotic movie sample without any music. Speedrush usually has an energetic approach and fire quickly effective bullets into the audience. All the more annoying is this waste of time at the sixth position. "Passive Aggression" is fittingly titled, because it combines a pretty aggressive and fast basic structure with a passive and emotional part at the center of the song. A guitar creates dainty tones and kills the flow of the actually good song. Suicidal Greeks! Anyway, apart from these deficiencies, Speedrush works precisely and is highly motivated without any kind of technical insufficiencies.

The dynamic band reaches the climax with "Into the Abyss". The straight and accessible piece relies on velocity, although its bridge briefly slows down the tempo. The chorus gains traction again and the antiphony of the background choir and the lead vocalist adds an extra dose of catchiness. The band seems to like this composition very much as well, because trace elements of its main riff reappear at the beginning of the closer... However, that's no reason to cry, because "Plague Storm" develops its identity regardless of this slightly difficult start. By contrast, "Reprisal Steel" rather emphasizes the casual side of the formation. The short intro "Not everyone likes metal. F**k them!" reveals a likable stubbornness and the relatively airy guitars liaise with mid-paced drums, before the band presses the gas pedal to the floor again. Once again, background choirs support the pretty aggressive lead vocalist and lively solo guitars also leave their mark. The formation's joy of playing is tangible and that's doubtlessly a great advantage of the compact album.

Did I already speak about the sound? No need to panic, "Endless War" profits from a great production, transparent, punchy, and well differentiated. Thus, I have no reason to be hesitant. Instead, I can say with a good conscience that the whole community is well advised to lend an ear to Speedrush. Yet no one needs to be religious in order to love their sound. All those who just worship the original (and only valid) formula of thrash metal will like this full-length as well. Tell me, does the Acropolis still stand? Only in ruins? I am not surprised.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10