Although their releases have not come by way a major metal venue such as Metal Blade and Roadrunner, Merciless Death are major players in the thrash/speed metal revisited crowd, especially the Los Angeles scene. The group is responsible for helping bring back thrash to The City of Angels—once a major hot spot for this type of music. The group recently took part in the “Thrashing Like a Maniac” tour with other young, Los Angeles-based thrash acts Bonded by Blood and Fueled by Fire (who dropped off the tour after the first show).

Merciless Death takes a darker, rawer, and more speed-metal styled approach than most of the groups belonging to this new/old musical gild. The spiritually black depiction adorning the cover art by Andreas Marschall, who provided classic artwork for Destruction and Mercyful Fate albums, does not paint a misleading picture. Adhering to the studs-and-leather principles of early black metal and speed metal merchants, Merciless Death wages an unrelenting onslaught of speed. Just imagine early efforts by Venom-spawned acts such as Slayer, Sodom and Kreator tip-toeing the line between thrash and death metal (Possessed) and you have the basis of Merciless Death’s style.

In order to emulate classic speed metal, it is essential to have a wrist-blurring fast guitar picker. Dan Holder is that man. Holder does not execute the most intricate fret work, but the speed and his propensity for creating neck-snapping riffs is something of notice. Merciless Death tends to operate in one mode: over drive, but Holder’s guitar quirks such as Slayer-esque tricks bring a certain memorable quality to the music. Plus, Holder has the uncanny ability to switch between a hyper fast riff and a ripping solo.

Because of stark rhythm and changes, tracks such as “Tormented Fate” and “Tombs of the Dead” present parts that are easier to identify and remember than the constant hammering speed that energizes the majority of the album. The stop-and-start instrumental play between all three members at the onset of “Tombs of the Dead” leads into a jaw-dropping change up that can only be properly appreciated in a live setting. “Tormented Fate” follows a similar course, moving between a dark harmony and death metal, buzz saw riffing.

Vocally, Aviator-sunglass-wearing Andy Torres presents a style very different from the snarl or high pitch tones common in the mid 80s. Torres is quite gruff and his voice does not hide his Spanish accent. His approach brings to mind Danny Trejo (From Dusk Till Dawn, The Devil’s Rejects) singing metal karaoke. Drummer Cesar Torres maintains the quick beats, providing dynamic fills where appropriate. Torres doesn’t have the speed of a Dave Lombardo or kit command of a Paul Bostaph, but he does keep the beat and provides a few memorable changes.

Meciless Death’s latest offering Realm of Terror is a speed metal album in the truest sense. While the group offers ample head banging opportunities, they could throw in a few more dynamic parts. Merciless Death does not try to portray Realm of Terror as anything other than a balls-to-the-wall, flat out speed album, though. This album is not for the likes of those into mid-paced groove thrash like what Metallica and Megadeth eventually became. For those looking to find newer raw thrash groups with a love for Satan and all things evil, Merciless Death is a worthy pick up.

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