PHILIP H.ANSELMO & WARBEAST – War Of The Gargantuas Split E.P.

Housecore Records/Season Of Mist – Out Now.

Philip H. Anselmo is a name that should require not a single word of introduction to any self-respecting metalhead. If that happens to be the case with you then please leave our pages immediately! For the rest of us, the really important news here is that the man who’s impressive music CV contains names such as Pantera, Superjoint Ritual and Down (amongst various additional collaborations) has finally decided to fulfil his ‘threat’ and finally go solo!

With a full length album scheduled for release later this year, Anselmo took a commercially and promotionally sound decision by releasing a four track Split E.P with Warbeast – an old-school Death Thrash which just so happens to have a contract with Anselmo’s label Housecore Records and which is also about to release a full length album in the months to come.

So, is this four track E.P nothing more than a cheap attempt at self-promotion, whose purpose is to make our wallets just a tad lighter? That may well have been the case had the music on offer not been so damn good and different from what we are used to! Anselmo has always been quite vocal of his appreciation of old school Metal and now, without any pressure and expectations involved, he is finally free to indulge in riffs and melodies that have more in common with bands like Voivod and Death rather than those featured in the music of Down. As for Warbeast: these lads are as old-school as it gets, mixing explosive Thrash riffs with drumming variations and intensity normally found in the Late 80s/early 90s Death Metal scene.

Phil’s first contribution on this four track E.P, namely “Conflict (Never Meets Bone)” is my personal favourite as I find the combination of angry/shouting vocals, distorted-groovy mid tempo riffs and Slayeric solos simply irresistible. Actually, I will not be at all surprised if I find myself humming along to its catchy refrain melody in weeks to come.

Warbeast are a different beast altogether, however their intention is also to catch the listener completely unawares through the use of classic Thrash riffs and vocals whose timbre is somewhat reminiscent of Roger Miret’s (Agnostic Front). Anselmo and groove have forged a very healthy alliance over the years, so one ought not to be surprised by its presence in “Family, Friends and Associates”.

What should surprise you, however, is the use of formulae that owe much to Voivod in terms of inspiration – a band that Anselmo has been openly supportive of since the late 80s. The final offering “It” is Warbeast’s second composition, finding the band indulging in a variety of straight-forward meaty riffs, supported by some truly inspiring and energetic drum beats, ones capable of giving those who are unaccustomed a full-blown heart attack.

As far as ‘starters’ go, this four track E.P is one of the most desirable I have come across in a very long time. I can understand that some of you might be considering skipping this release and focussing instead on the two full-length albums to come and that will make sense, providing that these four compositions are there.

If, however, this ends up not being the case, you would have missed out on an opportunity to listen to some truly inspired and passionate extreme Metal, the likes of which is very rare these days. Do you really want to take such a risk? Not if you love your Metal!

John Stefanis

Rating: **** (4.0/5.0)

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