Early in 2012 German brothers Johannes (bass/vocals) and Matthias Celmens (guitar) started Warfield with drummer Dominik Marx to push out a primal Teutonic thrash style that’s familiar to most on a new generation. Issuing a demo and EP in their first years, they would sign with Metal on Metal Records for the debut album Wrecking Command that came out in 2018. Seven years later, the band has elevated their game signing with Napalm Records for the follow-up effort With the Old Breed – and it’s a ferocious beast that excels in combining the best of acts like Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction next to some early Slayer / Exodus finesse.
Most will have no problem comparing the vicious screams and relentless roar present in Johannes vocal delivery to Mille Petrozza – as one listen to “Inhibition Atrophy” or “Soul Conqueror” blisters the aural landscape in homage to their German heroes. The riffs of Matthias are crisp, crunchy, and tight as nails – also adding some killer lead play and extra dive bomb aspects that make “Dogs For Defense” and opener “Melting Mass” hefty headbang highlights. Dominik as a drummer encompasses a mix of traditional thunderous chops next to energetic, versatile double kick mechanics – an essential component to the aggressive yet catchy nature of this material. While most of the songs fly in bullet train precision at a comfortable three to almost five-minute timeframe, “GASP” at over 7:17 showcases a bit of the band’s heavier, slower epic abilities before kicking into speedier, Slayer-like terrain. The haunting keyboard nuance as well as thick bass groove builds more dynamic tension into something that hopefully will be further explored on future albums. In a rare treat for vinyl lovers, the limited edition includes Warfield’s take on “F# (Wake Up)” – originally on Nuclear Assault’s Handle with Care album – taken into capable hands, the gang vocals during the killer mid-tempo chorus relevant to possibly turn on newer followers into the importance of this crossover-oriented thrash outfit.
Although many expect twin guitars in thrash, there’s just something special in a power trio format that Warfield employs that really works best for their energy, sound, and overall final product. With the Old Breed comes at just the right time to prove that as great as Bay Area thrash has been, the Teutonic aggression and passion also has an undeniable, special place in the pantheon of this long-lasting subgenre of metal.