[7/10] “Code of Violence or Riot of Violence?” is a question that will pass the lips of many fans of veteran thrash if they come across Americans Nocturnal Fear. NF are giving modern thrash a pulse and spark in the style of the mid-eighties German bands (Kreator, Destruciton and Sodom), much like Municipal Waste have done in the style of Nuclear Assault, Cryptic Slaughter and D.R.I.

This is blatant worship, but done well and highly enjoyable. It definitely avoids the pothole of bland cloning and instead is an embrace of a sound pioneered long ago. Aside from influences, this is plain and simple great thrash. And anyway this isn’t even derivative. There are close nods yes, but the impetus isn’t all Germanic, the scream at the end of “Line Of Fire” is like “Burning of Sodom” by fellow Americans Dark Angel.

A weakness for death metal amongst the founders of NF must be prevalent as the evil shines through at times, e.g. “Rotting In Hell,” just showing this lust for speed and heaviness is a suitable mindset to create anus-splitting thrash.

I’m never going to burn my copy of Pleasure To Kill or Persecution Mania just because a new band like Nocturnal Fear comes along. The old arguments stand true here as well, if this is going to get more riff-hungry kids into Kreator, Sodom and Destruction, then what is the problem?

Order the neck brace now to save disappointment and permanent injury at a later date.Sloppiness is the order of the day, leaving focus on rip-roaring tunes which are reminiscent of the DIY attitude of the original wave of 80’s thrash. Well produced, not overindulgent, never boring.

www.moribundcult.com