Warbringer – Wrath And Ruin
Release Date: 14th March 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Thrash Metal
FFO: Death Angel, Exodus, Testament, Havok, Kreator, Exmortus, Municipal Waste.
Review By: Rick Farley
When you think of modern thrash metal, if Southern California’s Warbringer is not one of the first bands you think of, you’re probably brand new to the genre. Hey, I get it, thrash metal has basically been the same since the eighties, not a whole lot musically has changed since then. That’s why, when a band of Warbringer’s calibre drops a record on the scene, you stop and take notice, then proceed to strap on a neck brace and thrash the living shit out of everyone in the mosh pit.
Formed in SoCal in 2004, and clearly a part of thrash metals revival brought forth in the late 2000s and early 2010s. New wave of thrash if you will, Warbringer essentially helped start regrowing the scene straight out of high school and up till this point have dropped six full length albums including the highly regarded and championed Weapons of Tomorrow released in 2020. Now five years later and this electrifying band continue their furious assault against the powers that be with possibly their most crushing release yet, Wrath and Ruin, being untethered via Napalm Records March 14th, 2025.
Adding small doses of extreme elements from different metal genres, Warbringer brings an aggressive amount of creative force to thrash metal, which feels unleashed from the tight shackles of the genre but doesn’t drift off aimlessly from the confines of thrash’s classic sound. Wrath and Ruin is a well-crafted, full speed attack of musical violence with a darker soundscape that’s unafraid to explore the shadows of the unknown. Melodic ripping leads, combined with unrelenting guitar riff hellfire, pulsing basslines and blistering bass pedal assaults are the backbone of the band, but those brush strokes of melodic death metal, progressive and blackened elements shine through adding a nefarious atmosphere that far exceeds the usual trappings.
Right from the rip, The Sword and the Cross’s huge ominous chord progressions batters down slowly crushing your bones until a tsunami of galloping guitar and groovy beat wash you away straight to total thrash obliteration. This track has a glorious old school feel to it, sending shivers down your spine from its explosive authenticity. Gashing crunchy guitars, insane leads, and unhinged drum work all pushing ferociously while the harsh, scratchy vocals yell out like a rabid dog. This is fucking thrash metal.
Probably and currently my favourite track on Wrath and Ruin is Neuromancer. Walking, slinky bassline with chords ringing out before an eruption of metallic groove that’s impossible to ignore. A little melodeath plus thrashy groove is tough to beat when it comes to headbanging. Add in some Chuck Billy bellowing style vocals here and there, a giant chorus and we have a clear winner.
The production done by Mark Lewis and mastering by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound is top-notch, but still sounds angry as hell. It’s raw sounding, with tones that capture the bands energy while still having every note, and each instrument come across pristinely clear. It’s cliché to say, but this truly feels living and breathing. It’s not an overly warm record, but it’s also not ear-piercing, it’s very well done all across the board.
The classic influences of the entirety of thrash metal’s history are cleverly woven into Warbringer’s modern take on thrash metal, it feels so wonderfully familiar but in a fresh way. Innovative, intricate guitar work, potent vocals that are equally as good as the music, and complex drum patterns are all abundant, but most importantly, incredibly written songs make this a fucking instant classic. This band has a sound that’s distinguishable from their peers, yet they could easily hang with the legends. If you like thrash metal in even the slightest bit, Wrath and Ruin is a modern masterpiece from a band that does this better than just about everyone. Easy recommend.
(5 / 5)
