It’s to his immense credit that we are now anticipating Neil Brannagan’s annual thrash metal compilation Moshin’ the Roof On as an annual event on the UK metal calendar. Having raised a substantial sum in the previous three years, Vol 4 is the biggest yet, with 32 bands vying for attention, publicity, but most of all the honour of participating in one of the most worthwhile causes in metal today. Over £6000 raised for Shelter in England is impressive, no matter how you view it.
The big question as a reviewer though, is whether more actually means better. 2022’s third edition was the strongest release of the three, so matching or exceeding that quality requires some stellar performances. Ultimately, MTRO4 falls some way short, but not through a want of trying. There are some big hitters returning. The old guard stand toe to toe with the up and coming whippersnappers, whilst there are reformed favourites as well as those who have dived in to help out at short notice. All participants should be applauded for their generosity, in a world where musicians are very much the bottom of the food chain.
Where do we start then? At the beginning seems a good place, with the jarring cacophony of Ghostkeeper, whose track “Dread Legion” provides a rough, raw and explosive start to the proceedings, whilst Midlands based Elyrean sound invigorated with new song “Perpetually Entombed”, even if their sound has become closer to Sylosis than ever before. Overpower bring some chunky crossover thrash that is ideal for breaking things, whilst the old school are represented by Trapped in Purgatory, who hold nothing back on “Idiocracy”. Hard, fast and high on quality, with that luscious home school feel.
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It’s gritty riffage from Death Assault that builds slowly with “Kill”, the doom-laden Akilla make a welcome appearance with their pile-driver “Serpent the Son”, a dark and ominous beast that utilises synth-work to good effect. Day of Wrath are another returning outfit. Their gritty sound is as welcoming as sandpaper across the knuckles, whilst King Abyss, whose recent album left me unimpressed, throw in a savage aural assault with “Snake Oil”, certainly one of the stronger tracks in their arsenal. Northeast collective Scarred by Truth rarely disappoint although “Shadows” isn’t the show stopper one might want. Fracture Point bring “Age of Hate” which is a blistering ball of fury and big hitters Recall the Remains “Fairfield” changes tempo with their own brand of metal core. Not my bag but it sits comfortably alongside the more frenetic tracks around it.
All Consumed’s “Hallowed Violence” is unrelenting death metal, a pulverising fist which slams hard. It contrasts with Blackpool’s Blacklist, whose thrash attack is back on point with “Natorum Demonto’. Side one roars to a close with the rage of Yorkshire’s Sidewinder and “Moral Turpitude”, whilst final side A outfit War Grave’s “System” has a NWOBHM flavour and is a solid way to close the first 16 tracks.
Halfway and although it’s entertaining, there’s not the immediate attention grabbers that we’ve had in previous years. Whether quality is overwhelmed by quantity is questionable, but like many a football fan, the hope is all pinned on the second half.
Big favourites in the UK thrash scene today, London quartet Imperium kick things off in their usual boisterous style with the groove-soaked “Capable of Murder”, quickly followed by Halberd’s crunching “Cyanide”, which is as robust as anything we’ve experienced to this point. Aggrieved bring their fiery hardcore snarl with “Edge of Darkness”, and there’s a welcome return for another MTRO alumni Thrasherwolf, with a demo in “Call of the Wolves”. Slower paced than much of their work, it still packs a bite. Evisarize are ideally named, with a sharp-edged driving thrash assault, and they are followed by the harrowing brutality of Vulgore, whose demonic onslaught leaves you stunned.
It’s a bit rawer for the next couple of songs. Dislocator’s “Knives Out” is a jarring collision of a song, whilst Heavy Claw’s “Flash Bang” doesn’t really excite, mainly due to the vocal style, although its frantic pace fits with the overall vibe of the album. The chugging drive of Must Kill is challenging, thanks to more marmite vocals that won’t appeal to all. Hands of Attrition bring more pounding metalcore to the party. Cimmerian’s introspection is up front on their song “Kingmaker”, a song that blends several different styles into one.
Repulsive Vision bring another style to MTRO with their punk-edged thrash on “Through Gas Lit Halls”, a neat burst of power that hits fast and finishes quickly. One of the biggest names on Vol 4 is Cage Fight, whose contribution “One Minute Demon” is as visceral and uncompromising as expected. It’s also one of the best produced tracks here, evidence of their growing status.
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Visitor are a new band to me. Sadly, their track “False Flag” is one of the weaker songs in this collection, a bizarre mix of gruff and clean vocals and numerous styles; there isn’t a huge amount to excite here.Onto the final duo and it’s Mechanised who enter the home straight with their song “The Escheridan Stairwell”. It’s a death thrash combination which doesn’t bring anything new to the party, and at times is somewhat over cluttered thanks to a muddy mix which leaves the lead guitars low in the mix. Hellbearer conclude this year’s compilation with the bizarre “Arthropods of Annihilation”. I it that whilst the playing is solid enough, the inevitable comedic element of this band along with the abrupt ending is enough to detract. It’s an average end at best.
Overall, there’s enough to get your teeth into here to warrant parting with your cash. It’s not as impressive as previous years, the quality is certainly not as high, but each band has given their all to the cause, and that’s all you want from this compilation. And before anyone screams at me, I’ll just point out that I’m number one on the list of those who pre-ordered the album. Buy it, stream it, and the latest release for a worthy cause.
Please follow the links to pre-order on the UK Thrashers BandCamp page in time for the albums release on the 7th April 2023 (which happens to be a Bandcamp Friday!).
