Bloodlust

Bloodlust formed in 1989, behind the Iron Curtain, in Communist Poland. Unlike a lot of bands that rush their first recordings, these guys took their time a few years to hone their craft. They played all over Poland and even ventured into Moscow with other death/thrash bands like Magnus and Vader. Their 1992 demo Holocaust sounds solid for what it is. It has that gritty demo quality, but it's far from weak or muffled—everything comes through clearly, letting the raw energy of the material shine. The playing is tight, and the faster riffs are definitely the highlight, as the mid-paced thrash sections don’t quite match that same level of intensity.

The real standout here is the lead guitar work. The shredding solos add a ferocity to the sound, giving the tracks an edge that might have been missing otherwise. It would have been better if the vocals were a bit more on the raspy side, which would have made the whole thing sound a little more evil and vicious. The songwriting isn't groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s straightforward, unrelenting death/thrash filled with raw energy that captures the late '80s feeling very well. Traces of Slayer, Sepultura and Morbid Angel can be heard throughout Holocaust, no doubt such bands were likely influences for these Poles. Highlights include "Expect No Mercy," "Black Death," and "Killed by Death".

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