MINOTAUR – God May Show You Mercy… We Will Not

Since the band’s debut album, Power Of Darkness, in 1988 , German Thrashers Minotaur haven’t been relaxing , they released material between 1990-1993 that included demos and EPs. However, they did go on a long break that lasted till 2006 when they recorded a split release with three other Thrash Metal bands. This split album, Don’t Burn The Witch…, was the unofficial war cry of their return. Yet, folks in the Metal world, and for anyone who craves for some good Old School quality Thrash Metal, need this sort of comeback in the image of an album release.

So there you have it, after 21 years without an official album, Minotaur are back in action with their new breaker God May Show You Mercy…. We Will Not. This album is a step forward in the band’s ability on using, although endlessly used, catchy, crunchy and explosive music with obvious influences of early Megadeth, Slayer, Kreator, Sodom and you can add Dark Angel and Venom as well to the equation. In addition, this release comes as proof that time did only wonders for this trio of experienced gents.

Judging from their music, Minotaur did not advance to the stage that many of the comeback bands have taken and this stage is all about heaviness and aggressiveness. Take for example the renewals of Exodus, Artillery and others in the new wave of Thrash Metal bands, which acts by the Old School code yet with numerous additions. The band’s music was violent and aggressive in the late 1980s so they probably thought: “Why step forward with the aggressiveness if we already have it and use it”. Of course, this is only an assumption.

Nowadays Minotaur, in the course of the production, the long living spirit of Old School Thrash Metal is far more superior on this release than in any other new Old School Thrash production. Minotaur’s new outcome maintains the old code and its wild simplicity with its raw heavy music of speed, high pitched and raspy like type of old Thrash often with samples of cool melodies, all which are fulfilled by a gloomy production. The overall sound keeps this listening set as old and nostalgic just as a well-preserved ancient artifact.

No question about it, several of their riffs serve as aphrodisiacs to Metalheads who admire good rhythmic music to bang their heads to. Nevertheless, if you are looking for something new, this is the wrong place, these guys seem to disregard elevation of any kind , their decision to remain in their exact state and to commence their official revival based on where they left off back in 1988. After hearing this album, this decision turned out to be a worthy gamble, a gamble which complements their violent nature music that is not that far from classic albums such as: Endless Pain , Pleasure To Kill , Peace Sells and Hell Awaits. These are only drops of a sea of albums that dug deep into the violence that Thrash Metal emphasizes.

God May Show You Mercy…. We Will Not is a simple bite of music that will draw your ears into a bleak and powerful menace. For collectors, this piece is necessary, as well as for Thrashers. If you do appreciate complexity in higher levels, this band will be your ticket for a little vacation out of the progressive world.

Highlights: “Armegiddo”, “Rather Die”, “Full Speed Ahead” , “Soulless” , “Tales Of Terror” , “Princess Of Hell”.