Label: Independent
Genre: Thrash Metal
Length: 40:37
--------------------
The Wrestlers are a young thrash metal band from Sardinia, Italy. Founded in 2018, the band released their self-titled debut album, The Wrestlers, in March this year, available in digital format and on CD. It's important to note that the members who make up the band are very young, which makes the quality of their debut effort all the more impressive.
The Wrestlers album consists of ten tracks totalling 40 minutes and 37 seconds. From the opening track, Necrophilic Woman, you're plunged into a whirlwind of fast, devastating thrash. There are frequent changes of pace, sharp solos and well-integrated heavy metal influences, accompanied by vocal touches that occasionally flirt with black metal. The production is meticulous: each instrument stands out clearly in the mix. The roots of American thrash are omnipresent throughout the album. Overall, the album alternates between nuanced passages and full-speed frontal attacks. The guitars are nervous, the drums pound relentlessly, and the bass plays a central role, dominating the soundscape on several occasions.
Among the highlights is the evolving solo from 1:50 onwards on Necrophilic Woman. On Look at the Dark, the heavy metal influence is particularly noticeable, with high-pitched vocals that tend towards black metal. The vocal variety is rich, peaking at 3:47. In fact, this track is my favourite. Another memorable solo appears at 2:01 on Rapist Demon. The track Explosion of Skull shines with its frantic rhythm and energetic bass line from 1:37, followed by an elaborate solo and a powerful vocal scream at 2:37.
The vocal performance at 3:15 on The Apocalypse of Blood is also remarkable, supported by percussive drums. After the Apocalypse sets a dark mood with high-pitched, demonic vocals. On Le leggi dell'umanità , a short solo at 1:33 breaks the rhythm, followed by a dominant bass line from 2:17 onwards. The track Mr. Beer features over a minute of guitar and bass intro before giving way to a surge of sound where the vocals once again shine with intensity. This is my second favourite track, which I've added to my Thrash Metal - Serial List 2025 (on Spotify). The solo on Metal Father at 1:50 is instantly reminiscent of heavy metal classics. Finally, Violent Storm, the longest track, concludes the album in style with a strong heavy influence and a striking solo at 3:07.
The Wrestlers is an energetic, honest debut album full of promise. The band's young age in no way detracts from their already palpable musical maturity. The future looks bright for these young Sardinian thrashers, who clearly deserve a listen.