Artist: WARBRINGER
Album: WRATH AND RUIN LTD. EDIT. (2CD DIGI)

Year: 14.03.2025
EAN/UPS: 810135719049
Media type: CD

SoCal thrash metal force WARBRINGER are back to end fans' eager wait with the highly anticipated new album Wrath And Ruin. Dubbed as “one of the best modern thrash outfits” by Exclaim!, WARBRINGER’s previous record, 2020’s Weapons of Tomorrow, was lauded by fans and critics alike. The album and its tracks received Best of 2020 nods from the likes of Consequence and Loudwire, with PopMatters going as far as to say, “With Weapons of Tomorrow, WARBRINGER’s inspired take on thrash metal seems to have reached its zenith.”

On Wrath And Ruin, WARBRINGER continues their furious assault against the powers that be with eight new explosive rippers lyrically focused on inspiring listeners to recognize strength in numbers and actualize their class power. Tackling artificial intelligence, free will, and imperialism with their breakneck speeds, virtuosic blend of genre trademarks, and frontman John Kevill’s iconic silver tongue, WARBRINGER pushes the envelope yet again, into the next echelon.

Wasting absolutely no time, Wrath And Ruin kicks off with the cataclysmic duo of “The Sword And The Cross” and “A Better World”, each featuring blistering speeds and jaw dropping drum work from blast commander Carlos Cruz. “Neuromancer” rides low and heavy with its hypnotic pulse propelled forward by unrelenting tremolo-picked leads and double bass pedal assaults. Aptly titled, “The Jackhammer” hits listeners over the head with a flurry of snare blasts and barrage of airtight thrash and slam inspired riffage. “Through A Glass, Darkly” indulges in deliciously gothic chord work and melodic leads embellishing Kevill’s already hellish vocal fry. “Strike From The Sky” is trademark thrash excellence quickly followed by the atmospheric, true cult epic “Cage Of Air”, with its tensely ornate dueling guitars on full display. Album closer “The Last Of My Kind” continues this dark gothic path with syncopated octave runs dancing around tightly dueling melodeath riffage. Wrath And Ruin sees WARBRINGER indulging in the darker elements of their sound, making it an excitingly devilish ride.

Wrath And Ruin was produced by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, Trivium, The Black Dahlia Murder), and mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound (Testament, Sepultura, Machine Head). Heading directly for the jugular, WARBRINGER revitalizes their sound on this record, continuing their unflinching campaign to inspire a brighter future and expand on their well established metal excellence.

CD 1/ LP:

01    The Sword And The Cross
02    A Better World
03    Neuromancer
04    The Jackhammer

05    Through A Glass, Darkly
06    Strike From The Sky
07    Cage Of Air
08    The Last of My Kind

CD 2: Live

01    Firepower Kills
02    The Black Hand Reaches Out
03    Crushed Beneath the Tracks
04    Living Weapon
05    Woe to the Vanquished
06    Living in a Whirlwind
07    Guitar Solo/ Outer Reaches
08    Shellfire
09    Descending Blade
10    Hunter-Seeker
11    Defiance of Fate
12    Silhouettes
13    Remain Violent
14    Combat Shock
15    Total War