Necronomicon "Escalation" CD (Bonustrack)

Bonus track 9 taken from the 2012 Invictus lp.

Third seminal album for this legendary German band devoted to pure thrash metal sound - Necronomicon.
"Escalation", originally released in 1988 and reissued in 2016 by Metal Command Records + bonus track.
A wild and indomitable jewel

Escalation is undoubtedly a great thrash metal album. It follows almost the same formula through the eight tracks, although each track has its own charm and force that makes you headbang or at least tap with your foot –mostly– all the time.
Memorable and razorblade-like riffs, galloping basslines and precise drumming are some of the qualities that can be found here. Everything sounds clear and no instrument overlaps the another (bass is present and loud enough, which is something that few bands actually have in account). Because of that, Escalation enjoys of a healthy wall of sound that would please any thrash metal fan. Volker's approach is quite similar to that of countrymen Mille/Schmier (mostly Schmier), while retaining a lot of creativity on the gang chorus department as said by the other reviewers. That's one of the reasons why I like this album more than those of Kreator, Destruction or Sodom, besides the musical quality itself. Particularly, I find drummer Axel Strickstrock way more consistent than Tommy Sandmann or Ventor Reil, but that's just a personal appreciation.
Some of the best songs are Death Toll, with its sort of melancholic riff beginning at the 3:52 mark and ending twenty seconds later. A little bit short, but sweet. The subsequent riffs are very cool also. Darkland III should be more known among classic metal aficionados, because it's truly epic and moving. Almost seven minutes of pure genius, laying down once again memorable riffs and gang choruses that make you wanna sing along. Skeletal Remains has a great double bassdrum intro that leads into a thrash beast. Again, great gang choruses. And last but not least, Mosh The ABC is one of the shortest tracks but for sure will make you headbang like a maniac whit its relentless speed, and its outro is quite funny.
I think that Dirty Minds is somehow the only throwaway track. It's not that good, because of its hard rock influence which doesn't fit the overall vibe of Escalation. But despite of that minor failure, it's a highly recommended album for thrash / classic metal listeners.

Sample: