Review by Felix on September 3, 2024.

Speedrush from Greece did not send a sign of life for eight long years, but at least the best track of their debut, 'Into The Abyss' withstood the test of time and so I never forgot this band during the last years. With that said, I am happy to see them return. The artwork looks like the promise that they still want to split skulls. So here is my precious head – let’s see, what happens.

After three spins, I can make the first general statements. Division Mortality sounds lively, authentic and avoids senseless gimmicks. It provides nine tracks of pure thrash metal, perhaps a bit less edgy than the debut, but still pretty rough. A few more speed metal-oriented parts do not result in a significant change of style. Just like the first album, Division Mortality scores with a transparent, quite powerful production (with the usual deficiency that the bass guitar is the almost unheard outlaw). Therefore, we have a relatively close connection between the two full-lengths, regardless of the long break. I don’t think that many maniacs who loved the debut will be disappointed now.
The songs are relatively opulently arranged. Maybe a few of them would have benefited from a leaner, shorter design. Yet this is no big deal – at the end of the day, they shape a homogeneous output. They rely on more or less conservative patterns, but they never get boring and the average velocity is high and reflects the unbroken enthusiasm of the band for its music. Of course, Greece has a rich thrash scene and I do not know each and every band, but as far as I can see, Speedrush and Riffobia are the spearheads from the European cradle of culture. Demon Prayers and Mortal Threat would be on the same level if they would still exist, but this is another story. Indeed, Speedrush and Riffobia have a very well-comparable understanding of thrash and those who like the self-titled album of Speedrush’s brothers from another mother will enjoy Division Mortality as well.

Is it an advantage or a disadvantage that the here-reviewed work does not house a new mega-hit like 'Into The Abyss'? Neither, because it thankfully also dispenses with a total failure (remember with horror "The Truth"). Either way, what really counts are the energy, the coherence, and the constantly high level of the songs. We get more than 41 minutes of fresh thrash with restless guitars, hammering drums, and a normal, not ultra-expressive yet solid voice. Thrash does not need meticulously designed images, it’s the music that speaks for itself, and the songs of Division Mortality tell a cool story. What a pity that there is (compared with the myriads of black metal bands and projects) only a relatively small number of formations that follow the same approach. But what about my skull? Wait a moment, I take a quick look in the mirror... it's still on my neck. Honestly speaking, I appreciate this.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10