Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!  Boys and girls, this is some freakin' killer metal right here!  I've reviewed so many sub par albums lately and albums that mixed all kinds of genres trying to be creative.  Nothing wrong with that, but it can get tiring when you listen to band after band that is all over the map and just doesn't click with you.  Bolt Thrower, on the other hand, takes the metal scepter and rams it down your throat....again and again and again.  After 20 years of playing metal, the band continues to push forward with authority.  On this, their 8th album, they are rejoined by vocalist Karl Willetts as a permanent member again, and let's just say that this is a good thing.

From the opening song, "At First Light", Bolt Thrower terrorizes with their brand of old school death metal.  And if you are one of those young whipper-snappers out there who like heavy music, don't let the old school tag scare you off.  This is straight up, insane metal of the finest quality.  Bolt Thrower punishes your relentlessly with brutal, and utterly massive riffs, super tight drumming, and ultra-low guttural growls.  Whether they are plodding along on the title track or whether they peel your flesh back with speed on "Entrenched", they will have you in their hip pocket constantly.  Check out the frantic guitar playing on "Entrenched", "The Killchain", or "Last Stand of Humanity", complete with wild solos.  Or the earth-shattering, rumbling bass in "Anti-Tank (Dead Armour)".  WOW!  This is hypnotic and addicting!  

A headbanger's delight!  Never a dull moment!  This is a disc that will have you begging for more.  Add to this, fantastic artwork, and way cool lyrics that focus completely on war and I'm listening to one great album that has been a ton of fun to review.  I'll leave you with the final quote from the song "Entrenched":  "In a world of compromise...some don't."  That perfectly describes the metal coming from my speakers tonight.

Rating: 98/100

Review By: Matt Morrow

Label: Metal Blade

Total Songs: 9

Total Time: 39:27

Tracklisting: 1. At First Light, 2. Entrenched, 3. The Killchain, 4. Granite Wall, 5. Those Once Loyal, 6. Anti-Tank (Dead Armour), 7. Last Stand of Humanity, 8. Salvo, 9. When Cannons Fade.

Best Songs: 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7.  (Heck, all of the flat out rule!)

Band Lineup: Karl Willetts - Vocals, Barry Thomson - Guitar, Gavin Ward - Guitar, Jo Bench - Bass, Martin Kearns - Drums.

Band Website: http://www.boltthrower.com