EPIDEMIC - Artificial Peace LP (Black Vinyl)

These warriors appeared at the end of the 80’s in order to stop the ascension of the country’s prime thrash, and even metal overall if you like, force Flames. Yeah, someone had to stop the fiery horde who had accumulated four full-lengths by the end of the decade, and looked quite confident into entering the next one. I sure respect Fames, and still listen to their output from time to time, but I’ve always doubted their actual merits, and I believe that with the proper rivalry back then they may have been seriously impeded on the road to stardom.

The other, less disputable truth is that this 5-tracker here easily beats anything created by Flames. This is a smattering thrash/death hybrid with overt technical pretensions, a fascinating reminder of early works of the style like Incubus’ “Serpent temptation” and Nocturnus’ “The Key” (minus the keyboard sweeps of that one). The guys unleash their creativity from the get-go with the marvellous all-instrumental lead-driven intro, and although they get carried away at times with the odd more violent bash (the “Pleasure to Kill” worship "Addiction"), nothing can stand on the way of consummate exhibitions of musical mastery like "Waiting The Execution”, a sweeping melo/tech-death/thrasher with melodic hooks and entangled configurations galore. The main theme from the cult horror film “Halloween” rises at the start of the title-track, later giving way to standout intricate shredding and breath-taking atmospheric, balladic respites those two sides creating a contrast seldom achieved before or after. No quietudes on "Religious Greed" the guys lashing with more passion here, still finding plenty of time to befuddle the audience with dashes of entangled rhythms and hectic time-shifts.