Band:	Bonded
Album:	Rest In Violence
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	January 17, 2020
Guest review by:	omne metallum

01. Godgiven
02. Suit Murderer
03. Rest In Violence [feat. Bobby Ellsworth & Christian Giesler]
04. Je Suis Charlie
05. The Rattle & The Snake
06. No Cure For Life
07. Where Silence Reverberates
08. Galaxy M87
09. Arrival
10. The Outer Rim
11. The Beginning Of The End [bonus]
12. To Each His Own [bonus]

German supergroup Bonded arrived on the scene with their debut Rest In Violence with reputation in tow. Due to the members' shared longevity in the thrash scene, Rest In Violence sounds very mature and refined, not only in general but especially for a debut album. Listening to the album, you would think this is only the latest in a long line of releases from the band, as it sounds so tight and powerful.

Harnessing the shared talents and experience of its members, Rest In Violence leaves one hell of a first impression from the band, demonstrating that Bonded's tank is far from empty. Tracks like "The Beginning Of The End", "Arrival" and "To Each His Own" see the band sharpen their sonic attacks to a piercing stab that will penetrate any sceptics. "Where Silence Reverberates" shows the band have more than one weapon in their arsenal and can drop the tempo while still sounding powerful.

Rambadt creates a leviathan with his production work, harking back to the days of 'heavy as a wrecking ball' thrash, while giving it a modern and fresh spearhead. This combination is lethal and one used to full effect; the songs sound like classics of yesteryear but move forward while looking back. This is aided by the members being veterans of the scene; the songs sound as effortless as clocking in for another day at the office, yet feel full of life. Bajonczak sounds rejuvenated, and Freiwald and Kost bring the Sodom sound without sounding like a pale retread. Tsitsis makes a great case for why the Greek thrash scene is one to keep a close eye on.

The band does stray into becoming formulaic at points, with songs like "Godgiven" and "Suit Murderer" sounding like the atypical radio metal song and standard straightforward thrasher respectively. While enjoyable, if you already have the wheel does it really need reinventing again?

"No Cure For Life" attempts to be the broody mid-paced slugger type of song, but ultimately it carries its weight for its duration but little more than that. It makes for a nice variation on the album, but one that will see your focus slipping and the spell the album puts you in cracks.

Is the album the most original thrash album of the year? No, but it makes its case by trying to improve on the same formula. Will it be remembered as one of the thrash greats? It's an admirable attempt and one worthy of relistening, but ultimately no. What the album will give you is hours of headbanging and horn throwing that will fill a void until the next thrash hit comes along. If that sounds like an insult, don't worry; given the talent Bonded have, there is a good chance they will be the ones to release that hit.