Mekong Delta
                                                                                 Intersections  SPV / Steamhammer Records  

I hadn’t really ever heard much of Mekong Deltas work. They are a German Technical Thrash metal band who have been around for nearly 30 years, I had never really taken the time to properly listen to and appreciate them.

Now I wish I had! The band have released ten stomping, face melting tracks taken from the band’s first few albums released in the mid-80s to mid-90s. 

 

This teutonic, powerful, technical thrash band rampage, displaying their old songs with a newer sound and a different vocalist in Martin LeMar, who at times can sound uncannily like Bruce Dickinson.  'The Cure' opens it up with a frantic Thrashy, Power Metal sound, and is hard as hell and has certainly stood the test of time. 

MD could show a few of the newer thrash bands a thing or two.  A feeling of Rush and Blind Guardian mixed together and coming out to sound like 'Shades of Doom'. 

 

'Sphere Eclipse' has a progressive-metal feel and is a severe penetrating number.  Stand out track I feel is 'The Healer' with simply outstanding guitar work from Benedikt Zimniak and Erik Grosch, while vocalist Martin LeMar seems to put all of his being and passion into this song it really is the best track on this rejuvenated cover. 

 

'Memories of Tomorrow' really this could be Bruce Dickinson on vocals which is a great compliment to LeMar to be able to sound like one of the greatest vocalists ever, is no mean feat.  I really like the intro to 'Heroes Grief', it's doom laden and then a chugging guitar enters and batters your head.  

'Heartbeat' kind of goes back to the progressive side of the band and has a really slow start then it builds and the drumming of Alex Landernburg really stands out on this track. 

 

'Transgressor' is a close second in my mind as a standout track, it rattles and batters, and kicks your senses with top solos and hard metal thrashing madness! 

Which brings you nicely to album closer 'Prophecy', a thrashing, mosh pit, face splitting frenzy and a great finish to a great album.  So to sum up, Mekong Delta have re-recorded some of their classics due to the many requests and have come up with a scorching album of technical, progressive Thrash Metal for old and new Mekong Delta fans, and the curious, check out 'Intersections'.  

 

Review by: Seb Di Gatto

 

 Tracklisting:

1. The Cure
2. Shades Of Doom
3. Sphere Eclipse
4. The Healer
5. Innocent
6. Memories Of Tomorrow
6. Heroes Of Grief
7. Heartbeat
9. Transgressor
10. Prophecy