UMUR
"Gallery of Pain" is the debut full-length studio album by Finnish thrash metal act A.O.D. (Altars of Destruction). The album was released through Violent Journey Records in April 2010. A.O.D. formed in 1986, released two 1988 demos and the 1989 "Painful Awakening" EP before disbanding (a cassette tape compilation album titled "Altar of Destruction" was also released in 1988 containing the material from the two demos). Obviously feeling that their story was not finished, A.O.D. opted to reunite in 2008 and record this debut album.
"Gallery of Pain" contains re-recordings of quite a few tracks from their first 1988 demo and both tracks from the "Painful Awakening" EP, so it´s sparse with new original material, but as the demos are now rare collector´s items and the "Painful Awakening" EP isn´t exactly easy to get a hold of either, most people probably aren´t familiar with the original versions of the tracks.
Stylistically the material is strongly influenced by the mid- to late 80s raw and aggressive US thrash metal scene (but there´s some 90s aggression here too). Artists like Slayer, Dark Angel, and Devastation are valid references (the actually sound a lot like the Danish thrash metal act Sacrifical, but as very few people have probably heard about them, they aren´t the best reference point). Solstice´s eponymously titled 1992 debut album is a valid reference too. This is sharp, brutal, and aggressive thrash metal with little room for melodic elements and other distractions. The vocals are angry shouting, the guitars are both fast-paced and sharp but also crushingly heavy and the rhythm section follow suit.
"Gallery of Pain" features a raw, gritty, and detailed sound production and it´s overall a good quality thrash metal release from A.O.D. and while it´s a debut album it naturally doesn´t sound like it. It´s obvious that these guys are seasoned musicians. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.