Warbeast – Enter The Arena

Warbeast is a thrash metal band from Texas that formed about a decade ago. Despite their relatively limited existence, the members in the band have long been involved in playing this extreme style of music, with the charge led by vocalist Bruce Corbitt (ex-Rigor Mortis) and guitarist Scott Shelby (ex-Gammacide). Unfortunately, due to some medical issues faced by Corbitt, the band is now defunct, with “Enter The Arena” marking their final legacy.

If you’re new to Warbeast, it’s worth pointing out that this isn’t just a bunch of old guys pretending to capture their former glory; these guys still thrash! “Enter The Arena” is another absurdly heavy thrash record featuring a variety of crushing riffs and a relentless drive. The band has no difficulties playing intricate material at high speeds, but they can just as easily unleash a doom metal-inspired riff that will pulverize all in its path. The soloing tends to be wild and unpredictable, regardless of the tempo the rest of the band is playing at. 

Surprisingly, the production on “Enter The Arena” is a bit more muffled than one might expect from a more veteran band. It certainly is nothing out of the ordinary for thrash, and fits the band’s sound, but is rougher around the edges than most other modern thrash releases. The low end is especially vicious, both in terms of bass and drums, and it makes the rhythm section constantly pummeling.

Despite Warbeast’s excellent pedigree, don’t expect anything quite as strong as the classic Rigor Mortis or Gammacide records. Like many similar bands, Warbeast does a respectable job of recapturing the sound of the 1980s, but not necessarily at the same level of quality. Truthfully, the tracks on this release aren’t overly memorable, especially compared to classic songs like “Bodily Dismemberment” or “Endangered Species”. Even relative to Warbeast’s debut, “Krush The Enemy”, the songwriting doesn’t quite deliver. 

Nevertheless, few bands deserve your support as much as Warbeast given the recent difficulties the band’s singer has faced. The band really can’t be faulted for anything on “Enter The Arena”, so even if it isn’t necessarily the best thrash metal album ever made, it is very much an enjoyable one that will bash your skull in (and what more could one ask for?)

Be sure to check out and like Warbeast on Facebook!

Highlights

"Centuries of Poisoned Soil"

"Maze of the Minotaur"

"Ancient Hate"

Final Rating

3.8/5 or 76%. 

Written by Scott

Warbeast - Destroy

Many fans of Texas thrash probably remember Rigor Mortis as being the pinnacle of what that scene offered, but I have always been a huge Gammacide fan. There has never been a thrash record quite like “Victims of Science”, nor will there ever be. This is why when I heard of a new band combining the two greatest Texas thrash bands, it was something I just had to hear. “Krush The Enemy” was a fantastic debut, with plenty of hard-hitting riffs and the maniac vocals of Bruce Corbitt. Though one Gammacide guitarist has since left Warbeast, I still had great interest in the follow-up, “Destroy”.

The first thing you’ll notice about this new record is that it is heavier, faster, and more brutal than the last one. The production is crushing; the drumming is relentless, and the guitars have a fantastic crunch to them. It does seem like the guitars could benefit from being a bit clearer, but this sound is sure to please fans of the genre. After a short riff-filled intro, the album really kicks off with “Nightmares In The Sky”, which will bludgeon you over the head with its sheer aggression and violence. Things get a bit more mid-paced with the next track, “Egotistical Bastard”. The vocal delivery in this song is quite a bit different from the others, mainly because the lyrics tell more of a story here than on some of the other tracks. Like the preceding track, there is an abundance of guitar solos, and there is absolutely no regard to doing anything beyond shredding at full speed. The chorus of “Egotistical Bastard” is pure Cannibal Corpse worship based on the types of intervals and picking patterns they are using (seriously, compare it to anything on “The Bleeding”, or anything other Cannibal Corpse record). From here on out, the album falls a bit flat for me. The endless stream of speed and brutality is not backed up with memorable riffs. Likewise, the choruses are nothing that will keep you coming back to this album. 

When you want 40 minutes of unrelenting energy, this album is a good choice, but it doesn’t match the quality of the debut album. The unfortunate fact is that thrash has an unending number of bands that can bring the speed, so it really is essential to write great songs. Still though, “Destroy” has some legendary thrash members playing on it, and for that reason alone, it is worth hearing.

Be sure to check out and like Warbeast on Facebook!

Highlights

"Nightmares In The Sky"

"Egotistical Bastard"

Final Rating

3.5/5 or 70%. 

Written by Scott