BUNKER 66 - Beyond the Help for Prayers
Dying Victims Productions
For those of you who are regular readers of this blog (and frankly who isn't) then you know my attitude towards blackened thrash. If it sounds generic like the majority of US bands who's releases have all been produced by the same guy for the past decade then it blows. Sure I'll say it, for the most part it's been European bands who keep this genre alive for me.
Case in point, here's the fourth full length by Italy’s BUNKER 66. The band has been putting releases out since 2009. Well at least their bassist/vocalist Damien Thorne and drummer Dee Dee Altar have been doing it. Their guitarist J.J. Priestkiller came on board in 2016. So basically we've got some scene vets who know what they wanna sound like when it comes to this sub genre.
Now don't be stupid and think you're gonna hear something fresh and progressive. It's blackened thrash, a melding of two extremes which at times can rip your face off or simply pound you flat. BUNKER 66 just go back to the roots on Beyond the Help of Prayers. Musically this is MOTORHEAD meets VENOM with a little wiggle room inbetween. I'd say they squeeze in some basic punk/hardcore influence but then that's a given with their use of gang vocal shouts.
Damien Thorne's vocals are either caustic as if be smoked a carton of cigarettes like a harmonica prior to the recording or somewhat clean (?) The riffs are catchy throughout. The drumwork is fuckin solid. Sound-wise you'll be picking out influences so much you make it a drinking game. Nine cuts with a running time of just over a half hour plus the cover art is cool. The only thing missing here is another 6 in their name.
LISTEN HERE:
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/bunker-66-beyond-the-help-of-prayers
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