As the only right-wing thrash band on the Heavy Artillery label,
Virginia’s At War must work hard to convert anyone weaned on, say,
Megadeth’s Peace Sells … But Who’s Buying? Sure, metal is
mostly about burning up guitar frets, but when your CD includes lyrics
to a track called “Semper Fi,” which begins with an un-ironic delivery
of the Rifleman’s Creed, you’re going to be scrutinized.
With Infidel, the band’s first release in two decades, At War
takes advantage of the ’80s metal resurgence and shames younger peers
with nine tracks of the purest thrash, centered on the fierce riffs of
guitarist Shawn Helsel.
It’s said Infidel contains material written in the years
following At War’s second album, 1987’s Retaliatory Strike, but
as death metal eclipsed thrash, the band couldn’t find a home for a
third. Having never really broken up and sensing the moment was right,
At War joined producer Alex Perialas (Anthrax) earlier this year to
record an album that almost never was.
The pro-military message may stink, but it’s tough to resist the
comic-book fun of “R.A.F.,” a tribute to British World War II pilots
(“Steel bird warriors / rule European airways!,” yelps vocalist/bassist
Paul Arnold), or drummer Dave Stone’s monstrous performance on
“Vengeful Eyes.” Even better: Brazilian artist Claudio Bergamin’s
painted cover depicting a naked, tattooed, Rambo-like messiah facing
down terrorists.
Sarah Palin … please hire these guys to write your campaign
song!
This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2009.
I would’nt say a tribute to the USMC make these guys “right wing”. Regardless, the music on “Infidel” definately rises above any and all true or imagined preconceptions of At War. This is a great thrash album by a band who has made the most of a second coming.