BOLT THROWER — Spearhead (review)

BOLT THROWER — Spearhead album cover EP · 1992 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Spearhead" is a four-track EP release by UK death metal act Bolt Thrower. The EP was released through Earache Records in February 1993. It bridges the gap between the band´s fourth- and fifth full-length studio albums "The IVth Crusade" (1992) and "...For Victory" (1994). All material from the EP was re-released on the September 1998 "Who Dares Wins" compilation album (Earache Records).

The EP features an extended version of the title track, which in its original form was featured on "The IVth Crusade", but here it is two minutes longer than the original version. The two extra minutes don´t do much for the song though, and is basically just two heavy riff sections being played over and over as an outro. "Dying Creed" from "The IVth Crusade" is also included on the EP, but it appears here in exactly the same version as on the album, so it´s mostly featured here as filler, if you already own the album (great song or not). The remaining tracks ("Crown of Life" and "Lament") are outtakes from the "The IVth Crusade" recording sessions, and of course the primary reason to purchase this EP back in the day. There are really no surprises here if you´re familar with the material on "The IVth Crusade", so it´s basically just more of the same heavy, mid-paced death metal. I don´t think there´s a particular reason why exactly these two tracks weren´t included on the album, as they are of a similar quality and style as the remaining tracks on "The IVth Crusade". "Lament" stands out a bit as it´s a bit more epic in style, but other than that it could well have been included on the full-length album.

So upon conclusion "Spearhead" is half interesting unreleased material and half material you already know if you own "The IVth Crusade", so you have to make up your mind if 10 minutes of new material is enough for you to invest in this. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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