Endlevel - Weekend War - Reviewed By fullmetalmayhem ! Check it out here at this link: https://fullmetalmayhem.wordpress.com/2023/07/21/endlevel-mit-weekend-war/
Band name and album title: Endlevel with Weekend War
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Release date and label: The album was released on February 24, 2023 via Violent Creek Records.
Other band releases: This is their second album from which they released three singles.
How did I get to know the band: This band also came to me via Metal Devastation Radio, unfortunately a little too late for my usual review schedule of covering maximum stuff from the past month, but I'd like to make an exception for my compatriots. So let's listen:
What do I think of the record: Death and Thrash keep on handing each other on the record. The music is mostly driving to fast-paced, and everyone can show what they're capable of with their instruments. The vocals oscillate between poisonous screams and massive growls, the riffing is crisp, in short: the thing is fun.
DRINK BEER is not only an order that pretty much every Metalhead is happy to follow, but also a really strong song. Driving, the song sends you towards the bar to order the next cold drink.
POSSESSED BY TRINITY might even go in the direction of Brutal Death/Goregrind, as Piq-Squeals are used more heavily here. Apart from that, I also enjoy the song, as it gets straight to the point here and you can feel some anger, not only in the vocals.
Conclusion: Really strong album and I think it's a shame it didn't find its way to me sooner, but better late than never. If you like Death/Thrash, with a touch of Legion of the Damned, you should really listen to this one. fullmetalmayhem
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
FFO: Legion of the Damned, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, Municipal Waste
Location: Balingen, Southern Germany
Short Bio: Southern Germany has been a guarantor for strong metal bands ever since. Be it Destruction, Cypecore, Primal Fear, Fateful Finality, Traitor or Debauchery. The young savages of ENDLEVEL have now joined the ranks. Founded in 2011, in Balingen, at the foot of the Swabian Alb, Jonas Frey (drums), Ken Ratheiser (guitar), Robin Willkommen (guitar), Kai Bez (bass) and Robin Richard (vocals) have dedicated themselves entirely to the homage of death and thrash metal. With the first album "Time To Kill", which was released in 2017 and already Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, France and actually every conceivable corner in Germany were traveled and devastated. So it's not surprising that the guys were welcome guests at the Bang Your Head Festival, Burgbrand Open Air or the Metal Embrace Festival.
Now the guys are back with their second album "Weekend War" and start their second offensive. The 11 newly composed tracks contain everything that makes Endlevel so enjoyable. Thrashy riffs with a Death Metal twist, guttural vocals and high Thrash vocals, meet rhythmic finesse and entertaining lyrics - metalheads what more do you want? The corresponding artwork by Martin Chmelícek (Spasm, Gutalax, Insistent, Obscene Extreme Festival, among others) perfectly captures the march visually: Every track, full against the jaw, plus lots of beer and the weekend is still in your bones on Monday! The 11 tracks mill themselves with a carefree and at the same time brilliant production in your auditory canal that it's just fun. Christian Schäfer, who also worked for Fateful Finality or Doom Division, was responsible for the great sound. So if you like to mix your Death Metal with some Thrash Metal and you like bands like "Inhuman Condition", "Bolt Thrower", but also "Malevolent Creation" and a pinch of "Anthrax", you should put "Endlevel - Weekend War" on your turntable and have your chin massaged with one to 12 beers. The album is released on CD, vinyl and is available on all common streaming platforms.
Check out these videos!
The single "Unleash War" starts like the continuous fire of an MG 42! The associated and intelligently used blast beat passages, which appear specifically and in the right places, skillfully underline the marching direction. Short breathers and the skillful interplay of guitarists Willkommen and Ratheiser create an oppressive atmosphere, as if just before the first step onto the battlefield. Another treat is the guest solo by Simon Schwarzer (Fateful Finality), which is the perfect complement for "Unleash War" - so to sag the chain grease for your tank!
"Hangover From Hell" shows impressively why Endlevel not only feel at home in Death Metal, but also have to do their rounds in thrashy waters! This song contains all the ingredients that fans appreciate so much about Endlevel: Thrashy riffing, growls, lyrics with a wink and in addition a video clip of a normal party night ala Endlevel! Since the morning After will be like hell but with the right soundtrack not so bad - open another beer and further headbanging is mandatory! Hell ain’t such a bad place!
"Nuclear Inferno" shows Endlevel more from their thrashy side! With the intro riff alone they could have knocked on Gary Holt's door and he would have gratefully put it on the last Exodus record. In addition, the cleverly doubled vocals of Mr. Ratheiser and Richard, which gives the song even more variety - the short bass part and the breakdown are then the foam crown on the beer from the house Endlevel! In addition, one matching lyric video and we have a highlight, which is on the album "Weekend War" and will certainly be a fan favorite for upcoming live shows!
"Slaves To Instinct" comes around the corner as one of the rhythmic mid-tempo bangers of the album and immediately invites you to bang your head vigorously. The intelligently placed lead melodies, which are contributed by Mr. Ratheiser and Mr. Willkommen, pervade the entire song and let this not only by the catchy rhythm to an absolute banger, but cement this directly in your frontal lobes - Just can’t fight nature and we’re all "Slaves To Instinct“
Follow them on Spotify and add them to your playlists!
© Lorenz Kandolf / Violent Creek Records
Follow the band at these links:
https://youtube.com/@ENDLEVELBand
https://www.instagram.com/endlevel__official/
https://www.facebook.com/endlevelband
https://endlevel.bigcartel.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1dGYVEbxNRm3MhAXzNo7XA
https://bfan.link/weekend-war
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