Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Killing Spree - Deception Betrayal Revenge - 2005 - What's My Cut Production

Track Listing1. King Of Sand 2. Garden Of Heathen 3. Infection 4. Devilution 5. Power Of Hate 6. Killing Spree 7. Disgrace 8. The Cleansing 9. Hollow Structure 10. Big Bang 11. Going Nowhere 12. After The End

Thrash right up your ass baby! Killing Spree is exactly that, a maniacal, avenging onslaught hell-bent on total annihilation of everything in it's path. Straight out of the Bay Area, San Francisco band Killing Spree unleash Hell with their debut full-length album "Deception Betrayal Revenge", a non-stop roller coaster thrill ride filled with the old school tradition of groups like Anthrax, Exodus, Metallica, and Flotsam & Jetsam. It hard to believe that in our present state of affairs a band has the balls to go back to the "real" old school and deliver the proverbial goods in grand fashion. This is no hardcore, groove oriented romp through the old school, no indeed this is the real thing. Huge solos, high pitched vocals, fast riffing, and quick sticks. It all combines for one vicious Killing Spree, and one promising and impressive debut effort.

Bassist and lead vocalist Eric Hansen along with drummer Mike Taylor toured the 90s with their band Fifty Lashes. Since then the band have teamed up with guitarist James Murray to create the ultimate three piece. Killing Spree was unveiled in 2004 with the EP "Motive". Now the band have finished their first full length record in "Deception Betrayal Revenge", and as I mentioned earlier fans of the old "leatherneck" persona will eat up this thrashing, rampage sound. At times bands like Megadeth come to mind, but really this one plays with more reckless abandonment, more on par with the caught in a mosh sounds of Anthrax and Overkill. This isn't commercial thrash by any means, and with cuts like "King Of Sand" and "Infection", they prove it.

Guitarist James Murray gives the amps a workout here, really on a rampage with his speedy, quick chops and breathtaking solos. Vocalist Eric Hansen plays the high pitched madman, hitting a few highs like early Flotsam & Jetsam mainman Eric A.K. but still staying with a rigid, top notch mid-range for the majority of the record. Tracks like "Devilution", "Disgrace", and "Going Nowhere" are just speed racers to the end, rarely letting up for a free second. Other cuts combine on some more groovy moments, evident on "Killing Spree" and "The Cleansing". The band go a bit experimental on rocky "Big Bang".

Bottom Line - Unbelievable thrash record that rivals the bigger releases by the likes of "thrash legends" like Exodus and The Haunted. A must hear!



--EC 08.21.05