While the Bay Area in the late eighties was credited with producing Thrash's most influential bands and some of the genres defining releases; a similar, if somewhat smaller explosion was occurring this side of the Atlantic. Germany was producing Kreator, Destruction, Sodom and Tankard amongst others, and so this fledgling scene began. However after this initial crop of bands had established themselves no second generation of acts ever really emerged. Coinciding with the demise of Thrash a a popular genre the demise of the German scene was inevitable.

Looking to reinvent the dormant German scene are Hessen's Abandoned. Not new comers by any stretch of the imagination, this being their eight year of existence sees the release of album number two. There are a couple of things you first have to look beyond when you first pick up "Thrash You". The first is the rather lame title, as it actually does not but deter you from wanting to listen to the album. The second is please ignore the rather S & M cover. Bondage really does have nothing to do with the band. Overcome these two obstacles and old school Thrash is your bag, then this might just be for you.

The influence of Testament and Slayer to Abandoned can not be ignored, but what self respecting Thrash band can claim not to credit either of these bands as an influence? Eric "Kalli" Kaldschmidt's vocals thunder along, overlaying the crunchy guitar riffs he himself laid down; ably supported by Holger "Holg" Ziegler. With instant mosh pit favourites like "Feel The Fire" tucked in between full on head banging classic "Trapped", "Thrash You" really is a feast for those who favour their metal fast and abrasive.

Abandoned offer a little bit more than being a pure carbon copy of any one of Thrash's greats, with elements that will appeal to fans of Heathen, Exodus and closer to home Thrashers Destruction. It is true to say "Thrash You" follows a well trodden path, a path where virtually all avenues of experimentation have been explored ad nausea. This does not make "Thrash You" an un-enjoyable listening experience, and taken for what it is; this is an honest to goodness old school Thrash record.