VIRGIN SNATCH

Act Of Grace

Mystic Productions/ CD 2008

Poland is mostly known from it’s extreme death metal monsters: VADER, BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED and HATE to name just a few. However since middle 80s there has been strong thrash metal scene – with acts like KAT and TURBO - in that Eastern European country, but even ACID DRINKERS who released their three albums via UNDER ONE FLAG in early 90s weren’t able to make a bigger impact and show the rest of the world the power of polish thrash. Even if their debut „Are You A Rebel?” for me is one of the Widery undiscovered genre’s masterpiece.

After long years of drought finally there’s a band that has a chance to change that situation and is a serious candidate to strengthen the export strength of Polish noise. The opening title track from the very first notes shows what VS is all about. Modern thrash metal which follows the path shown by Bay Area giants’ (TESTAMENT, EXODUS) recent albums is the name of the game. But what is most important here Poles perform high quality thrash at least as good as many well-known and respected bands from Europe and US. Rapid, rhythmic riffs driver by solid drumming force you to bang your head along the avalanche of "Horn of Plenty", little southern "Daniel the Jack" and Marcing monster "Walk The Line " with a delicate NEVERMORE aftertaste in the song’s end. Without any doubts a very strong Zielony’s vocal performance is one of major advantages of that stuff. VS vocalist in an interesting way combines clear growling – with distant echoes of Chuck Billy ‘s tone- with clean thrash singing (vide: "Do not Get Left Behind"). What is worth underlining there’s no "slavic" accent noticeable in his parts. It’d be a crime not to write a few words ‘bout band’s memebers technical skills. But when you take a look at the booklet everything becomes clear. Hiro (SCEPTIC, DIES IRAE, ex-DECAPITATED) is responsible for power of guitar attaca. So it’s no surprise that there’s nothing to complain about in guitar department. Delicious solos and classic thrash riffs are reinforced by the soundu boiled in the Wiesławscy Brothers kitchen – namely Hertz studio. It;s another decisive factor which determines such positive reception of "AoG". Low-frequencies are generated by – nomen omen – the new guy. Novy (ex-VADER, BEHEMOTH and DEVIILYN) joined the crew and it was the best choice they could imagine. I’m sure that guy with such an experience and stage charisma will strenghten band’s stage attitude. 8 of 9 songs are powerful thrash attacks. But we’ve got a space for little breath, too. The closing ballad "It's Time" is dedicated to the memory of Vitek (DECAPITATED). We’ve got Vogg’s guest appearance on lead guitar, too. It’s hard to look upon it with a cold eye especially when you know that it is a tribute to a close friend. But even if we don’t think about the emotional burden, we must admit that it’s simply a very good song.

VIRGIN SNATCH recorded another very solid album. Band confirmed that with every release is able to use it’s inner potential to create better records. Today VS is already dangerously close to the place from which you can see the competitors far behind. "Act of Grace" is the best thrash metal album vomited out of Poland’s scene in recent months. Good job guys!

9/12