When I look at bands doing covers I enjoy bands injecting their own style n bastardizing the original like Hooded Menace did to  a Celtic Frost song a few years ago. When bands try n do spot on takes of originals it can be dicey especially if I love the originals. Deceased have been doing band covers for decades and this covers album is fucking classic.  12 cover songs of classic songs.  Many of them still from some of my fave albums of all time.

Deceased makes a statement with opening with “Spit on Your Grave” (Whiplash cover).  Main man King Fowley has said Power and Pain from Whiplash is one of his favorite thrash metal albums so I’m sure for him to sing this song has to be a dream come true.  The guitar melodies are spot on and King’s vocals really perfectly match the original.

“Sacrifice” (Sacrifice cover) from their debut and best album Torment in Fire also is a standout.  TIF has one of the dirtiest and grimiest guitar tones still to this day. Deceased matches the song to a T.  I always am impressed when a band can emulate and capture the essence of the original and Deceased does just that.  The end of the original song with all the feedback and snarls and screams Deceased have fun with this part.  King letting out some fun screams too.  Artillery’s early material especially their first 3 albums are some of the best thrash metal ever created.  Their 1985 debut Fear of Tomorrow is their best. The vocalist on the first 4 albums, Flemming Ronsdorf had one of the most unique and weirdest vocal tones ever.  Because this album is a personal fave how do they pull off “Into The Universe”, you ask? Really well. King’s vocals are great, of course it is very different than the original, but his enunciation and delivery captures Flemming’s essence excellently. The music is incredible.  It’s a perfect rendition.  The drumming is terrific but the guitar solos really stand out and I have to give my brother King props.  I know that ending scream he belts out, as the original ending was, had to be quite difficult.  But King gets it done and this is my fave cover on this album.

“Take This Torch” (Razor cover) is the perfect follow up. I mean it’s as if the band called me up and said Frank what’s your favorite 80’s thrash songs? and they picked all my choices.   Emulating Sheepdog’s vocals are tough because they’re highly original as well as very high tones at times.  King does a lot of highs in this song.  Had to be tough, he’s not 25 anymore. But he manages to get enough oomph to throw in highs.  Again no easy feat to accomplish. The music is fantastic especially the opening guitar riff which is one of the most intense opening thrash metal guitar riffs in metal.  A true Holy Shit moment.  “Thrashing Rage” (Voivod cover) is from King’s fave all time band.  This is excellent as well as not the first time the band has covered Voivod.  The drumming captures the original drumming perfectly, because  Rrröööaaarrr, in my opinion, still has the heaviest drum sound ever recorded.  The covers of Darkness and Deathwish are excellent as well.

Thrash Times at Ridgemont High is soooo much fun.  A walk down memory lane from the mid to late 80’s era – the golden age of thrash metal.  Deceased have fun with the songs and it shows. The production at Mike Bossier’s Oblivion Studios packs a solid punch and all the instruments come through the mix great.   Get this now!

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