Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


HAMMERCULT Steelcrusher

By Damian J. Cousins aka "The Maestro", Dallas Contributor
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 @ 3:53 PM


- advertisement -

- advertisement -
HAMMERCULT
Steelcrusher

Sonic Attack/SPV Records





After a crazy week of moving offices and just dealing with all the headaches that come with relocating, I knew what I wanted my first album review to be in my new HQ. I needed something that kicks teeth in. For those of you who didn’t already know, there is this band HAMMERCULT from Israel who specialize in brutalizing thrash metal that will suck you in from the very first listen and then rip out your eyes and skull-fuck you. Think I’m kidding? Pop in their latest album Steelcrusher, a no-holds barred affair spanning 12 tracks that start and end on TEN with no signs of slowing down in between. Why? Because HAMMERCULT don’t have time for that nonsense, ok? Their mission is clear: pound the living fuck out of you until you like it. And you will. I sure as hell did!

After the “Hymn to the Steel (Intro)”, the next three songs, “Steelcrusher”, “Metal Rules Tonight” and “Into Hell” are a potent combination of balls-out riffs and breakneck speeds, vocalist and resident maniac Yakir Shochat leaving it all out there for everyone to rage to. “We Are the People” is one of the more aggressive tunes, reminiscent of one of my favorite bands HAVOK, but still keeping its own identity, and also features a guest solo from SEPULTURA’s Andreas Kisser. I really liked the blend of NWOBHM and old school thrash found on “Burning the Road” as well, and that was one of the things that kept me coming back, no doubt.

The intro to “Ironbound” really lets you know something great is coming and for the next four minutes greatness is what we get. Easily one of my favorites on this disc, it is one I simply could not get enough of. This leads right into the relentless hammering beat of “Unholy Art” and my ABSOLUTE favorite “Satanic Lust”. A lot of people have talked about this one and believe me, the raving is justified. It’s a heavy song that also has some of the funniest lyrics you’ll ever hear from a thrash metal band. As soon as I heard it I knew I was all in on this band!

Rapid fire riffs are the order of the day on “Liar” courtesy of Arie Aranovich and Guy Ben David, and “Damnation Arise” also ramps up the speedometer resulting in some neck-breaking grooves. And HOLEEEEEY SHIT, “Heading For War”!! I swear, if this one doesn’t have you seriously considering mowing down old people in crosswalks when you’re behind the wheel then I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Sometimes a song makes me want to just crack a bottle over someone’s head. This is one of them (Yes, I know, I have issues!). Last, but certainly not least is closer “In the Name of the Fallen”, which drops the hammer down one final time and reminds you just who the fuck you’re dealing with. The name of the band is HAMMERCULT. The album is Steelcrusher. It’s available now via Sonic Attack/SPV Records, so I suggest you go get it…NOW.

STANDOUT TRACKS: ALL OF THEM

4.5 Out Of 5.0

You can purchase Steelcrusher in the KNAC.COM More Store right HERE.

Check out Damian's site at www.ampsandgreenscreens.com!


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent Reviews
RHAPSODY OF FIRE Challenge The Wind
THE AMITY AFFLICTION, CURRENTS, DYING WISH, MUGSHOT In Boston, MA With Photos!
BLUE OYSTER CULT Ghost Stories
BLACK VEIL BRIDES In Houston, TX With Photos!
GATECREEPER Dark Superstition
AMON AMARTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY, FROZEN SOUL In Portland, OR With Photos!
ULI JON ROTH In Ottawa, Canada
RAVEN, VICIOUS RUMORS, LUTHARO In Ottawa, Canada
BLIND GUARDIAN, NIGHT DEMON In Worcester, MA With Photos!
FIREWIND, EDGE OF PARADISE, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN In Houston, TX With Photos!
KERRY KING From Hell I Rise
DARKTHRONE It Beckons Us All
KAMELOT, HAMMERFALL, AD INFINITUM In Fort Worth, TX With Photos!
ASKING ALEXANDRIA, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE, THE WORD ALIVE, NERV In Salt Lake City, UT
ARTILLERY, VAPOR, POTENTIAL THREAT, INFRARED In Ottawa, Canada
BABYLON A.D. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
ILLUSORY The Ivory Tower Reissue
GHOSTKID Hollywood Suicide
DAATH The Deceivers
ACCEPT Humanoid
BRUCE DICKINSON In Santa Ana, CA With Photos!
GREAT WHITE, SLAUGHTER, QUIET RIOT In Houston, TX With Photos!
STATIC-X, SEVENDUST, LINES OF LOYALTY In Salt Lake City, UT With Photos!
JUDAS PRIEST, SABATON In Youngstown, OH With Photos!
ROCK & BREWS Ridgefield, WA Grand Opening With Photos!
WIND ROSE, XANDRIA, LYCANTHRO In Ottawa, Canada
THE ROCK ORCHESTRA By Candlelight In Myrtle Beach, SC With Photos!
DEICIDE Banished By Sin
2024 MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE Recap With Photos!



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News