Reviewed by George Russell

Who said heavy metal was dead? 'Hard And Heavy From Down Under' is more than heavy, it's superdense. If you are into loud aggressive music then this is the album for you: certainly your mother wouldn't like it. This excellent compilation showcases seven Australian hard rock outfits (Mortification, Cry Mercy, Metanoia, Screams Of Chaos, Embodiment, Callous and Ethereal Scourge) in a variety of styles from metal punk to thrash/hardcore. Fortunately the lyrics are provided as most tracks are unintelligible, guttural and aggressive - just the way I like 'em. The lyrics are powerfully Christian, not always explicit, although some are. Words and music should always complement each other; many songs of victory are gutless because the music is banal. The thrash/hard rock medium really sets off songs on the subject of judgment or victory: sample the two tracks from Ethereal Scourge. Tracks that made the earth move for me were "Don't Ask Me" by Cry Mercy and the three part concept piece "The Plague" by Screams Of Chaos, but the whole album has an exciting buzz about it and would complement the collection of any white metalhead.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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