Following giving the UK a thorough thrashing in recent weeks past, Onslaught are warmed up and ready to rock European stages on their current tour, not only in celebration of their classic debut’s 40th anniversary, but also the unleashing their next LP Origins of Aggression. The new album is a compilation of re-recorded classics as well as some killer covers of Onslaught’s early influences. The old stuff is of course legendary though like many of their peers, the production of their classic records is inconsistent from album to album, and does’t hold up to today’s sonic standards. After a few years in the shadows since their last LP, to now celebrating four decades since their debut, it’s a great time to reinvigorate the band and reinforce who Onslaught are in 2025.
Starting off with Onslaught’s first ever song, one that’s really stuck with them since the demo days, of course being “Thermonuclear Devastation of the Planet Earth” followed by another demo destroyer, and only original track here I’m unfamiliar with, in “Black Horse of Famine”. Both benefit greatly from the update and make for a good sign of things to come with the no-nonsense punk bangers. Onslaught are rightfully kings in the UK thrash scene however many, including myself, might forget they began as a punk band so it’s awesome to see them revive and hopefully generate more interest in their formative ragers.
As a retrospective, Origins of Aggression naturally takes us next to Power From Hell, then through songs from The Force and In Search of Sanity respectively. The updated sound is consistent across the album, with each element standing out and providing its own punch. The guitar tone has more bite and the rhythm section has more definition providing an aggressive backbone beneath the vocals. “Power From Hell” has more power and “Metal Forces” is more forceful in comparison to the muddier and flimsier sounding originals with the more in-your-face approach to the mix.
Onslaught’s old-skool albums each featured a different vocalist each with their own style, and current frontman Dave Garnett makes these classics his own, emulating the originals yet putting his own spin on them with his grittier tone. Though not as melodic as his predecessors, the man can scream and hit the highs as well as giving guttural growls when it calls for it – his range exemplified in an awesome “Fight With the Beast”. Despite their dated sound, the originals have a character which is partially why they’re beloved by the fans and some of those quirks are gone. However Origins of Aggression is no soulless rehash. The remade tracks stand out on their own with new elements like the shredding solos throughout and the extended endings that give a live feel such as the outro to “Metal Forces” – its beat changes never failing to get the head banging.
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The selection of covers are songs that influenced Onslaught back in the day and could be a cool compilation of its own. Mostly a selection of early 80s punk, the band bang out solid straight-up performances of Discharge classics like “State Violence State Control” and “Drunk With Power” alongside the likes of The Exploited’s “UK 82” and UK Subs’ “Emotional Blackmail”, all sounding awesome in Onslaught’s heavy tone. The most fun covers come in Dead Kennedys’ “Holiday in Cambodia” where the band have fun thrashing up the timeless riffs, and Killing Joke’s “Wardance” showcasing something a little different with it’s scuzzy harmonic riff – something I’d be keen to see Onslaught play with more in the future.
Origins of Aggression is a strong statement of who Onslaught are today. The current lineup has breathed new life into a killer collection of classic thrash hits, making them their own with the heavier and more defined sound as well as new takes on the tracks. The approach to the performances is reminiscent of the way Onslaught played the songs live when I saw them recently, further reinforcing my opinion – what you hear on Origins of Aggression is what you’re going to get when you see them thrash ‘til the death, and it’s awesome. The covers are done great and are fun listens, and would undoubtedly go down a treat onstage in the future. The punk feel permeates across the album truly emphasising Onslaught’s origins of aggression and it would be cool to see them bring some of the vibes from this album to future songs. Ultimately, a lot of long time fans like me will likely still have more love for the originals burned into the brain from our formative years, however the fresh takes and soul of Origins of Aggression makes for equal appreciation of both versions. All in all an awesome comeback compilation with something for all of Onslaught’s metal forces.
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Origins of Aggression is out now
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