Thraaaaaash!
This is Elimination’s debut record but judging by that none more metal, skirting the fine line between genius and stupidity, title 'Destroyed By Creation' and the cover art depicting a post-apocalyptic London the guys know the ins and outs of metal culture. They’ve paid their dues on the road and with two EPs they obviously respect their forefathers from traditional metallers such as Maiden and Venom to the more obvious thrash influences of Slayer, Exodus and beyond.
The record starts with a quiet guitar intro before launching into a 3 Inches of Blood style chugging epic with plenty of kick drum and blood curdling screams from singer Neil Stevens: ‘Straight to Hell’. 'Slaves to a Tyrant’s Reign' is a pretty standard piece of NWOBHM but features the first of many of the album’s ripping solos. This all fades into the rumbling bass and shredding guitar of 'Wargames' which introduces thrash speed to the riffs and a shouted chorus of ‘People are dying! This wargame!’ guitars shriek and scythe through the crunching backing track in a song reminiscent of vintage Megadeth. 'Nightmare Asylum' is more mid-paced thrash with duelling twin guitars and a huge solo from axemen Daz Abbott and Dave Spicer but there isn’t a great deal of individuality to Steven’s vocals. Stand out effort 'The Eliminator' has a menacing spiral riff that gives way to a proper head banging riff and a fist pumping vocal. This is Old School in the best possible way.
The overall lack of originality isn’t really a problem (especially if you already like Evile, Gamma Bomb or any of the other thrash revivalists about these days) as the songs are crackle with enough energy and commitment to keep your interest. "Destroyed By Creation" could maybe doing with cutting a bit of the fat as twelve tracks is a big ask when there is little sonic variation. Ultimately, Elimination are all about no-nonsense heavy metal but they have a refreshingly raw take on epic metal stylings which galvanises their thrash-isms. Certainly Elimination are a band to watch out for even if it’s just because they’re called Elimination and have a song called 'The Eliminator'. Metal on metal!