Kingcrimsonprog If you like Thrash Metal, chances are you’ll like at least most of the Big Four; as well as probably Testament, Exodus, Sepultura, Kreator and Overkill. If you like any of those bands you may delve deeper and get into bands like Sodom, Destruction, Death Angel, Dark Angel, Sacred Reich or Nuclear Assault.

If you still want more thrash, you may go for British bands like Sabbat and Onslaught, or indeed less successful Bay Area bands like Heathen, Vio-Lence and Forbidden. Maybe some Canadian bands like Annihilator, Voivod, Razor or Sacrifice. Maybe crossover bands like D.R.I and Suicidal Tendencies. There’s probably tiers.

The subject of today’s review, Whiplash are definitely a band worth checking out if you love Thrash but have exhausted the kind of 10-20 biggest bands already. Hailing from New Jersey, being singed to Roadrunner, and playing straight up, unadulterated Thrash, Whiplash have a lot to offer. Not the least known band, but definitely not the first band you’d be recommended…

The previous two albums to this, the semi-classic Power & Pain (1986) and the heavier Ticket To Mayhem (1987) are hard hitting, fast and energetic metal which has been recorded as a power trio. What Insult To Injury (1989) adds is a new lead singer (Glenn Hansen) and much more emphasis on song-writing over pure fury.

Don’t get me wrong. Most of the album is still all about face shattering impact, but there is room for singing along too, hooks to hang onto, moments of intrigue. “Dementia Thirteen” for example has a lot of groove to it. “Essence Of Evil” is a bit more technical. “Battlescars” sounds like a band trying to replicate the Slayer of Show No Mercy instead of the Slayer of Reign In Blood. “Rape Of The Mind” even has a very Led Zeppelin feel to it, which isn’t something you’d always associate with Thrash, but it works!

In my opinion; of the band’s original run before their hiatus and reunion, Insult To Injury is definitely the best and the new fan’s first port of call. It has the best production, the best vocals, the best lead guitar and the most variety. Sadly, almost comical album art, but hey, that’s almost part of the charm.

Unitron "Thrash, to kill! Blood, will spill!"

Forming back in 1983 under the name Jackhammer, the New Jersey thrash/speed metal act renamed to Whiplash only a year later, although both names fit well with their sound. They electrified thrashers in 1985 with the release of their debut studio album, whose name of Power and Pain describes what these guys are coming to deliver. Despite being from the US, Whiplash has a lot more in common with the early material from German Teutonic thrash bands like Kreator and Destruction than most US acts, although Kill 'em All-era Metallica should be noted as a valid reference point.

Whiplash you will get after thrashing to the band's incredibly rapid attack. Rivaling Razor when it comes to pure aggression and speed, frontman Tony Portaro's riffs pierce the skin and speed through your veins like motorcycle gangs on the highway. Portaro fills the vocal spot also, viciously barking out mosh pit calls. Amongst all the ripping solos and shredding, there's a tight rhythm section to keep it all together. The whole album will spit through your skull, but highlights definitely include "Stage Dive", "War Monger", "Spit on Your Grave", and the colossal "Red Bomb" which punches you in the gut with it's opening riff.

If you want a classic thrashing from one of the more underrated bands of the US thrash scene, check out Whiplash's Power and Pain. It's a pure, raw, all-out, no-bullshit romp through the pit. Who needs to dive in the pool, when you can Stage Dive? Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

UMUR Power and Pain is the debut full-length studio album by American thrash metal act Whiplash. The album was released in 1985 by Roadrunner Records. Power and Pain was re-issued as a split with Whiplash 2nd full-length studio album Ticket to Mayhem (1987) in 1998 by Displeased Records.

The music on the album is old school US thrash metal played by a tight power-trio. Kill ´Em All (1983) by Metallica comes to mind but there´s a melodic element in the music that reminds me a bit about Alice in Hell (1989) by Annihilator too. Add to that, that lead vocalist/ guitarist Tony Portaro has a voice that sometimes is a bit similar to Randy Rampage ( Annihilator) and that comparison becomes even more valid. The songs are generally fast-paced and aggressive and maybe a bit one-dimensional. But who cares when there´s such a fierce energy on display. Songtitles like Stage Dive, Power Thrashing Death and War Monger pretty much tells the whole story. This music is designed to get a good mosh pit going.

The production is raw and powerful and suits the music well.

Power and Pain is a great debut album by Whiplash and if you´re looking for a good old school eighties thrash metal album, Power and Pain will certainly apply. A 3.5 star rating is well deserved.