MINDWARS

The second full-length album by American-Italian Speed/Thrash Metal band.
Old School Thrash Metal is a dying breed and the Metal scene could definitely use more of it. Mindwars' second album “Sworn To Secrecy” is an above average Thrash album.
The opening title track fires right out of the gate and gives a nice slab of Thrash Metal. It does feature an excellent guitar solo about half way through, so fast that it would make Slayer. The album continues the same way until the third track “Lies”, that has Thrashy parts but it also has some mid paced moments. “Helpless” is another good track...
The drums and bass are standouts, by Roby and Danny respectively, providing a good low end that actually works with the production, giving the songs more heft than they would otherwise. When the guitars really start to groove, the bass really holds up, providing a battering ram of power. Roby is very powerful behind the kit, as any Thrash drummer should be. If you like snare and cymbals, you'll really have a smile as you listen to him hammer in your skull like a champ. Mike really shines as a guitarist; he can go from Thrash to Groove in no time and his solos are fast, furious and to the point...
All in all, it is a good Thrash album that harkens back to the golden days of the genre.
Recommended for fans of old Megadeth as well as fans of all kinds of Old School Thrash Metall!!
Punishment 18 Records, 2016 (P18R 108). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Sworn To Secrecy 
2. Cradle To Grave 
3. Lies 
4. Twisted 
5. Helpless 
6. Scalp Bounty 
7. Rest Now (For Tomorrow Comes) 
8. No Voice 
9. Prophecy 
10. Release Me 
11. Transporting
Total playing time: 44:42 min.

The debut full-length album by American Speed/Thrash Metal band.
Mindwars was born in 2013 and masterminded by Roby Vitary, former member of Jester Beast and Mike Alvord, ex- Holy Terror. Funnily enough, they had met while touring in Europe in 1989 with their former bands, even funnier is the fact that they had roots connection through families, that is a Italian connection through their Grandparents in Calabria region, Southern Of Italy, after 25 years they decided to get together and the result was this excellent Speed Thrash Metal band.
The original voice of the band- prototype could not fulfill its duties (R.I.P. Keith!), and that is why Mr. Alvord had occupied the microphone. It has been a difficult decision, because the vocals in the album are supported of too much hard studio work, and definitely are sung at the level of a layman. This adds an archaic sound to the recording. The more melodic decisions in the guitars as well as in the singing relate Mindwars to Melodic Thrash Metal of the late Whiplash, Laaz Rockit, Forte or Believer.
The concept of the album has also a taste of the 80's with a tiny note of selfishness. The demonstration of acoustic virtuosity is presented in the introduction and in the remarkable Thrash Metal ballad "Lost". The quotes from the news are also in the style of the 80's and the 90's but we missed them for a long time to replace the interactive noise of pseudo-sensations.
"The Enemy Within", although it contains retrospections, is a very serious hit in the Melodic Thrash Metal style. The remarkable thing in it is the unique and mature approach toward riffs and music, with which Mike Alvord bursts out after the times of silence. They are unique, musical, and social. They bring back to us values that we are preparing to leave behind!!
Punishment 18 Records, 2014 (P18R 084). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Upside Down 1:17 I
2. Crash 4:43 
3. Speed Kills 3:38 
4. Retrobution 3:24 
5. Time In The Machine 4:24 
6. Lost 6:29 
7. Chaos 3:49 
8. Final Battle 5:52 
9. Masters Of War 4:50 
10. Death Comes Twice 4:29 
11. Walking Alone 3:37
Total playing time: 46:32 min.