Warbringer – Wrath and Ruin 

Stargazer Scholar

Thrash Metal is important. Few other subgenres of heavy music could boast the same historical significance, and it is undoubtedly Thrash Metal that we have to thank for all things Black Metal, Death Metal, and extreme Metal. Thrash metal is overcrowded. Let’s face it, since the pioneers of the eighties and early nineties gave way to multitudes upon multitudes of nostalgic acts, the highest achievements of the movement came from its fusion with other subgenres like Prog or Groove.

Thrash metal is resilient. Because no matter how hard the scene tries to self-destruct creatively, it persists. Mostly thanks to the undying loyalty of its audience and the occasional spark of talent that would revitalize the genre and wrestle the reins from the indifferent autopilot. Which brings me to our today’s heroes: Warbringer. These guys are one of the reasons the style is still relevant. They know how to adjust their influences to their individuality and, most importantly, they never halt in their development. After a palpable break of five years, the US thrashers are back with opus number seven, and we are about to discover if it was worth the wait.

Wrath and Ruin continues down the path established on its two predecessors by mixing concise bangers with longer, adventurous songs. Nothing could exemplify the Warbringer sound better than the opener “The Sword and the Cross”: an ominous intro segues into a crushingly groovy riff that after a few bars receives a melancholic overlay of the second guitar. Vocalist John Kevill bursts in with his trademark piercing snarls, and the whole thing erupts into a premeditated chaos of unbridled thrash fury with virtuoso solos and smart arrangements. The trend is obvious: Warbringer never forgets to season high-energy riffs with melody, and the balance is so tasteful it seems almost effortless.

The record is replete with transitions but all of them make sense. Every buildup is satisfying, every passage serves the composition. That shift to mid-pace in the middle of “Strike from the Sky”? Delicious. Or the way that “Cage of Air” accumulates the frenzy of a personal hell, temporarily resolves it in the grim contemplation of its acoustic middle section, but then finally gives in to insanity and goes down in the flames of a ferocious blast-beat? Superb. Among other highlights, “Neuromancer” is bouncy, percussive and stately, save for a little passage in the bridge, and Kevill experiments with his lower range to match the song’s gravitas. “Through a Glass, Darkly” is indeed roiling with introspective gloom; it is solemn, melancholic and haunting and wouldn’t be out of place on a MeloDeath album.

On the downside, the band follows the aforementioned pattern of alternating epic and simpler tracks a bit too literally, breaking the cycle only for the sake of the two somber closers. The shorter and faster cuts may not be as memorable as their counterparts, but they do their thrashing job well. I may not be crazy about “Jackhammer”, but hey, if this is the least engaging song on the album, you could do much, much worse. It also needs mentioning that a few riffs and vocal lines may sound familiar to those versed in the band’s lore, but this stylistic continuity isn’t strong enough to threaten the album’s unique atmosphere.

Warbringer is one of those bands that manage to have a distinct sound of their own without being experimental or groundbreaking, and Wrath and Ruin is one of the finest manifestations of its style. If it is your introduction to the music of these gentlemen, prepare to be blown away. But if you are a seasoned appreciator, you’ll have every reason to be pleased with the band’s continued run of form. Here’s to Warbringer doing what Warbringer does best: thrashing us up in an intellectual and dramatic fashion.

Label: Napalm Records

Release date: 14 March 2025

Website: https://warbringermusic.com/

Country: USA

Score: A ferocious and inventive 3.75/5