RAWHEAD "Demonstrations" in Monarch Magazine (UK)
RAWHEAD "Demonstrations" in Monarch Magazine (UK)
Review by Slawek Migacz
Rawhead
Demonstrations
Ragnarök Records
Another compilation album in katalog of Ragnarök Records. Demonstrations consist of 3 demos that Rawhead released in early nineties. The band was active in Seattle area, in the US. At the time, as millions other releases of this type, most of bands demos and such recordings were mostly known locally and today, it`s just rare and hard items to find. The charm of past times you could say. I am extremely glad that from to time the treasures of underground find the new ground in form of releasing them on the CD for the first time.
The following demos were taken to compile this album:
Something Crushes Spine (1991)
Bones Of All Men (1992)
The Last One (1994). The demo that was never officially released before which is a great news for people who remember the band from back in the day.
After playing War Machine song, I knew at once that I am going to spin the CD at least 1000 times. The track has ultra-fast guitar shredding that can only be compared to Jeff Water from Annihilator. Really, those sharp guitar riffs are hitting hard the ear holes and with style! Also, it`s aggressive song with vocals that reminds me Phil Rind from Sacred Reich, the difference is that John Enga (Rawhead) has chosen other variants for his vocal techniques. The sound of this demo is up to expectations and Walk From Faith is another dynamic and super arranged track that punching you between the eyes by technical arrangements of their majesty thrash metal. Fans of Coroner (Grin era) and Voivod must not miss the great and progressive song Staring At The Sun. It`s not over, it`s just the beginning. Head Wound and Sleep, both deliver thrash psychodelia and groove and I am not sorry to hear some Coroner`s progressive influences, again. A track - Mind, kind of follows the path of those songs with just more neuroses on axes. All tracks from Bones Of All Men (1992) demo, just kicks ass all the way as you play it. 1994 tracks sound a bit experimental but still, Rawhead forged their thrash the way I really like it.
1991 demo have more technical approach and melodies, towards Bay Area thrash. Chemistry of all songs is really good. They keep me focused on their songs, just like when I have to do when listening to other band - Confessor. The sound quality is slightly lower than on other demos of this album but music and those masterfully crafted thrash metal songs, make it all up for me.
Rawhead – Demonstrations is my new album gem and it`s absolutely necessary to have it by every respectable thrash metal maniac.
Review by Slawek Migacz
Added: 12.07.2019
Link to the original RAWHEAD-review in Monarch Mag (UK)