Dekapitator is often classified as traditional thrash metal, and soon after the start of their 2007 release, Storm Before the Calm, this is assessment is proven to be spot-on. After all, not one, but two familiar-sounding, classic thrash riffs can be detected in the album-opening title track — namely, Anthrax’s “I Am the Law” and Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” And wouldn’t you know it, they even hail from the same area as Metallica and Exodus — the Bay Area! The album cover even screams ’80s metal, as the Armageddon-gone-made doodle brings to mind Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast. And what about the song titles? Well, they bring to mind the leather jacket/skintight jeans/white high top sneakers time period of metal as well, with “Toxic Sanctuary,” “The Call to Combat,” and “Screams from the Holocaust.” From all these hints, you’ll certainly be able to figure out what Dekapitator’s music sounds like: chug-chug-chugging riffs, harmony guitar lines, shouted vocals, gang hollered choruses, and double bass drumming all abound throughout. If you’re looking to indulge in some heavy metal time travel, Dekapitator’s Storm Before the Calm is one snazzy ride. – Greg Prato
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