Headhunter - Parasite of Society Review
by Mark Hensch
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Though the thrash movement petered out long ago, there still exist quite a few bands playing high-quality, purist thrash as it first sounded. Germany's Headhunter is one of these bands, and 2008's Parasite of Society is a ripping tribute towards that most revered of heavy metal subgenres. Taking the precision chaos of vintage German thrash and mixing it with elements of oldschool power metal, Headhunter create a barnstorming album in Parasite which will please classic-era fanatics and newcomers alike.
Such a crowd-pleasing effort comes through hard work, something which Headhunter boasts in spades. Vocalist Marcel Schirmer (formerly of Destruction) easily leads the charge here, his haunting vocals both fierce and eerie. Backing him is a gang of talented thrashers, the likes of whom meld pounding thrash with the piercing melodies of early heavy metal.
It is a combination which produces a variety of memorable songs, and with that in mind, there are few times when Parasite is not kicking out socially-conscious jams rife with cutting satire and guitars alike. The title track that is "Parasite of Society" stomps faces with stampeding riffs, while follow-up cut "Silverskull" shreds through melancholy chords and fiery solos.
Things continue heating up after this, with the disc providing some truly furious thrash. The band's cover of Skid Row's "18 and Life" is both boisterous and spot-on, while "Read My Lips" tears by with blistering fretwork and manic percussion. "Egomaniac," meanwhile, teases listeners with some Indian notes before launching into a face-melting thrash anthem for the ages. Adding icing onto the cake is "Payback Time," a slow-burning rocker with tons of bravado and technical wizardry.
Parasite is not the sound of a genre on its last legs but rather an undiscovered gem that never faded away. Though I for one enjoy the majority of the bands from today's "thrash revival," those craving a more old-fashioned take on the genre should look here first.
Headhunter's Parasite of Society
3rd Man Introduction
Parasite of Society
Silverskull
Remission
Doomsday for the Prayer
18 and Life (Skid Row Cover)
Read My Lips
Backs to the Wall
Egomaniac
The Calling
Payback Time/Muppets Cover
CD Info and Links
Headhunter - Parasite of Society Rating:8.0
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