BOLT THROWER

Embroidered bordered woven patch.

115x25mm 

The third re-release of the sixth full-length studio album by legendary British Death Metal band.
"Mercenary" is the first Bolt Thrower release to feature significant changes for the band. The music isn't anything new, but the English Grindcore outfit had an updated line-up that included long-time members Barry Thompson and Gavin Ward on guitar, Jo Bench on bass, vocalist Karl Willets, and rookie Alex Thomas on drums (the band's only album with him). Additionally, "Mercenary" is the first recording from the band to appear on Metal Blade Records.
These changes have little effect on Bolt Thrower's sound. The career-long pattern of ever-tightening performances is upheld, as all involved do a splendid job reproducing the band's trademark racket. Thomas' superior drumming is more impressive than his predecessor's; however, some would argue that Andy Whale's borderline sloppiness amounted to a sonic signature, so it's wash. 
"Mercenary" continues Bolt Thrower's long-standing tradition of war inspired Metallic themes, churning guitars and relentless double bass drum assaults.
The cover painting is titled "Contact – Wait Out", which is also the first track on the next album, "Honour – Valour – Pride". "Powder Burns" is a continuation of the song "Embers" from "The IVth Crusade", and leads into "The Killchain" on "Those Once Loyal".
Fans of the Metal act will approve of this 1998 offering, but new listeners might want to check out "For Victory" or "The IVth Crusade" before soldiering on to "Mercenary".
Collector’s Edition 180 gram Black Vinyl includes giant Poster.
Metal Blade Records, 1998/2021 (3984-14147-1). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Zeroed 5:46
2. Laid To Waste 4:40
3. Return From Chaos 5:04
4. Mercenary 5:54

Side B
5. To The Last... 5:24
6. Powder Burns 4:46
7. Behind Enemy Lines 5:18
8. No Guts, No Glory 4:07
9. Sixth Chapter 5:40

Total playing time: 46:39 min.



Samples: https://boltthrower.bandcamp.com

The third re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary British Death Metal band.
Although it never appealed to mainstream Rock audiences, Bolt Thrower wasn't quite as extreme as some of the other bands on England's Metal-oriented Earache label (which signed a distribution deal with Combat in the early '90s). Compare "War Master" to Carcass' very Hardcore "Symphonies Of Sickness", and you'll see that this blistering Death Metal release is a bit more accessible. Whereas "Realm Of Chaos" was dominated by Grindcore based blasts and riffs, this album abandons most of the Grindcore influences for a sound that is more strictly Death Metal. Moreover, there is more melody in the music and the guitar solos, although some chaotic solos remain. This is also the final Bolt Thrower album to feature the blast beat style of drumming (which can be heard on three songs: "What Dwells Within", "War Master" and "Afterlife"), before it was abandoned and subsequently never used thereafter in the Bolt Thrower discography.
Lead singer Karl Willetts favors the type of choked, grunting vocals that underground Grindcore bands were known for, but unlike such bands, Bolt Thrower isn't always heard at breakneck speed. Bolt Thrower often slows down the tempo, making the morbid lyrics to "The Shreds of Sanity", "Destructive Infinity" and "Profane Creation" easier to understand.
"Cenotaph" is a thematic continuation of the song "World Eater" from the previous record. It shares the opening and ending riffs and it has some lyrical similarities as well.
The album was recorded at Slaughterhouse studios in September 1990. It was the last recording at Slaughterhouse Studios, which was destroyed in a fire.
Despite the slightly repetitive songwriting, "War Master" remains an excellent effort, based on interesting musical performance from a band that finally found its identity. As for the album itself, it still remains one of the most respectable Death Metal albums ever released. Despite Bolt Thrower's limitations, this is an album that seasoned Thrash fans will find invigorating!
This release has been cut by vinyl mastering engineer Noel Summerville, who also made the original 90's cut.
Pressed from original tapes, full dynamic range Yellow Transparent vinyl in gatefold cover.
Please, note! We can’t guarantee the colour of the vinyl, because all the versions of re-release has no colour identification. Ask us to check before the shipping, if you're not indifferent about the colour.
Earache Records, 1991/2023 (MOSH029FDRUS). Made in UK.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Intro… Unleashed (Upon Mankind) 6:13
2. What Dwells Within 4:18
3. The Shreds Of Sanity 3:26
4. Profane Creation 5:32

Side Two
5. Final Revelation 3:55
6. Cenotaph 4:03
7. War Master 4:17
8. Rebirth Of Humanity 4:01
9. Afterlife 6:00

Total playing time: 45:58 min.



Samples: https://bolt-thrower.bandcamp.com

The first re-release of the second compilation album by legendary British Death Metal band.
This compilation contains mostly rare material from the Grindcore/Death Metal band's EPs "Cenotaph" and "Spearhead", as well as two tracks from "Rareache", Earache Records anniversary compilation album (this two tracks was also included on Japanese version of “...For Victory” album).
This CD isn't the place to turn if you're making your first Bolt Thrower purchase - 1991's "War Master" would a better starting point. But then, Earache didn't release this CD with the casual listener in mind. "Who Dares Wins" was obviously aimed at the more seasoned Bolt Thrower fan, who will appreciate such rarities as "Prophet of Hatred", "Crown of Life" and "Destructive Infinity" as well as a blistering live version of "Realm of Chaos" and an extended remix of "Spearhead". In spite of its limitations, "Who Dares Wins" is a CD that the band's die-hard followers will want!
The release coincided with the release of the album "Mercenary", which was Bolt Thrower's first album for Metal Blade Records. The band has hence accused Earache of trying to cash in on the band. Also, the album was originally intended to be titled "No Guts, No Glory"; however, because that is the title of a song on "Mercenary" Earache had to scrap that title. The cover art for this compilation was taken from the "Spearhead" EP.
Tracks 1-4 from taken from the "Cenotaph" EP ’91.
Tracks 5-8 taken from the "Spearhead" EP ’92.
Tracks 9-10 taken from the "Rareache" compilation ’95.
Earache Records Ltd., 1998/2022 (MOSH 208CDD). Made in UK. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:
1. Cenotaph 4:04      
2. Destructive Infinity 4:13 
3. Prophet Of Hatred 3:52 
4. Realm Of Chaos (Live) 2:45 
5. Spearhead (Extended Remix) 8:42 
6. Crown Of Life 5:29 
7. Dying Creed 4:17 
8. Lament 5:36 
9. World Eater '94 6:08 
10. Overlord 4:29
Total playing time: 49:35 min.