Mourning Bolt thrower: The War Rages On!
On the anniversary of the death of Martin “Kiddie” Kearns the announcement that UK Death Metal Legends Bolt Thrower were calling it a day sent a wave of sadness through the metal community this week. While the news wasn’t a shock it didn’t take the impact away that we had lost a great band. One thing that can be said is that the band did EVERYTHING on their terms and coming to an end was no different.
While it was well known that a new album from the band wasn’t going to be released any time soon there was always a glimmer of hope and there was always a chance of seeing them live. While metallers are playing their Bolt Thrower albums reliving those classic tunes and memories of the band here at The Rock Show with Gully and Joe we thought we would give you a rundown of a couple of bands that could fill the void moving forward.
Memoriam
We’ll start with the obvious choice Memoriam are the brand new band featuring Bolt Thrower front man Karl Willets and Benediction Bassist Frank Healy. Memoriam sound exactly how you would expect, old school punk flavored Death Metal delivered in the way only the British can. In all honesty from the tracks we’ve heard so far Memoriam are picking up where Bolt Thrower left off.
The band has been gigging loads this year and has gone down a storm at various festivals this summer. With a Demo and a 7inch doing the rounds the band are recording their debut album as we speak which is set to kick off 2017 with an almighty roar!!!!
Hail of Bullets
In the absence of new material from Bolt Thrower, Hail of Bullets have long been considered their natural follow-on’s. Hail of Bullets took the Bolt Thrower template along with the war theme and has made three scorching albums to date. What makes their next release all the more exciting is that Ex Benediction and Bolt Thrower front man (and regular show guest) David Ingram has just joined the band (taking over from Martin Van Drunen who also sang in Bolt Thrower from 1994- 1997) and judging from his work with Down among the Dead Men and Echelon he is going to give the band a massive shot in the arm and a slightly different approach. It’s set to be an awesome collaboration.
Gutter Instinct
Hailing from Sweden Gutter Instinct released their awesome debut “Age of the Fanatics “this year. Their dirty crust driven riffs and punishing delivery of old school Death Metal is one of the best releases of this year. They are having a bit more of a Swedish sound but the influence Bolt Thrower have had is undeniable.
Shrapnel
One of the UK’s shining hopes in Thrash at the moment Shrapnel have been seen opening for Acid Reign, Destruction, Sepultura, Exodus as well as playing a string of festivals. Currently working on their second album Shrapnel are more thrash metal in their sound but their furious live shows and with tracks like “Eternal War” and “Pseudocommando” Shrapnel are carrying the Bolt Thrower torch and leading the UK underground into a new generation of Waaarrrr!!!!
Gatecreeper
With their debut album “Sonoran Depravation” coming out on Relapse next month Gatecreeper do an awesome take on old school Death Metal with a healthy dose of doom and crust. The advance tracks sound like the perfect mix of Bolt Thrower and Obituary. Just check out their awesome video for “Desparation”
Warfist
Poland’s Warfist will be releasing their second album “Metal to the Bone” on Godz ov War next month a dirty, grinding beer soaked glorious album. This album reminded me of the one time I saw Bolt Thrower to this day I have never seen so many beer cans on the floor. That’s one thing people forget about the band. As serious as their lyrics were their shows were the most fun, lots of beer, head banging and moshing and having a great time as well as celebrating the music they loved.
