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Bulldozer - Unexpected Fate Review
by Matt Hensch
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Over twenty years stands in the middle of "Unexpected Fate" and "Neurodeliri," two records from Italian thrash outfit Bulldozer. Yea comebacks happen and comebacks go, but Bulldozer's return to the gridiron conjures the image of a band not just hungry, but one clearly agitated and ready to kill everyone regardless of association. Instead of pitching to the lighter side of metal or engaging in some ghastly trend, the dudes of Bulldozer brutalize the classic speed/thrash methodology to the point of insanity, making sure feelings and emotions are words of the past. "Unexpected Fate" is undeniably Bulldozer, yet the album clearly caters to old-school death metal and spicy thrash in the vein of Destruction and Sodom, or maybe Possessed and Van Drunen-era Pestilence. Do I really have to point out it sounds awesome?"Unexpected Fate" ignites with a flammable burst of blast beats and old-school death metal riffs before sliding into a fast-paced episode of ground-shaking thrash; the title track continues its malevolent assault until Bulldozer finally subsides its attack, only because there's nothing left to crush. Talk about not screwing around! The remaining thirty minutes continue this reckless onslaught of world-shattering thrash occasionally diving into prototypical death metal, and it's a real showcase of talent and knowledge of the genres: riffs drop like bombs, A.C. Wild's spiky shouts twist and burn, the solos blister and the production stays raw and meaty. The band's overall blueprint isn't blazingly original, but Bulldozer has the beef to back it up. You essentially get just what you expect: honest, smashing havoc that occasionally finds itself transforming into borderline death metal. Also, the band shifts gears quite frequently in terms of their song writing. There are many choruses throughout "Unexpected Fate," but the fine "Micro V.I.P." depends heavily on its chorus and the bridges that lead into it, almost to the point of certain demise if both aspects didn't work up to potential. "In the Name" kicks tail like the rest, but the track's basic feel is much different than the stomping punch most of "Unexpected Fate" demonstrates. Regardless of direction or sophistication, Bulldozer maims like a rabid wolf. Harsh, destructive thrash is what you get from "Unexpected Fate," so definitely look into Bulldozer's triumph return.
Bulldozer - Unexpected Fate Rating:8.5
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