I've been talking to a few people recently about how the scene has changed since it's beginnings in 2004.

I don't think I'm the only person who feels that the scene is suffering from a lack of steam at the moment. This could be entirely in my head or as a result of me being somewhat distant from most of the bands but I'm not alone in this assessment. I know a few bands are recording or writing, maybe that could explain the perceived lull. Partly I think it's because the heavy hitters of the scene have started to move on to bigger and better things rather than regularly gigging with the other bands. In other words, the bands are still there, but the scene is rather vacant.

I used to feel fairly hopeful that the UK would develop a musical identity similar to that of Germany in the 80's (not musically, I mean that the that the bands would have a familiar 'UK' sound). For a while it felt like they did, especially around 2005/6. Deadfall, Warpath and Evile all seemed to have a similar sort of thing going on at the time, albeit in their own unique way. That's how it seemed at the time anyway.

Since then, there's been a load of bands that have focused way more on the whole 80's revival side of things. Love it or hate it, it's not created any sort identifiably British take on thrash, which I think is a shame. Hopefully with the releases expected out this year there'll be some nice surprises.

It would be cool if we looked back on the scene in 10 years and saw it like the Swedish Death Metal scene in the early 90's. It would take some innovation on our part but there are some quality musicians around here. Originality doesn't mean changing genres, you can be plenty original and play Thrash. There are some bands here already doing it.

I figure we need UK Thrash as a movement, rather than a term for musically disconnected thrashy bands in the UK. UK Thrash rather than UK Thrash.

Gama bomb, Evile, Pitful Reign, HOD & Doctor Death all have albums around the corner this year.
Mutant's EP is a colossal winner.
SSS, Evile, Gama Bomb & Mutant have already done national tours and festivals and it's only May.
Jamie & Nebz are still working hard putting gigs on in the south.
UK thrash website has had a motivation upheaval and surge in posters.
UK thrash podcast has had thousands of downloads.
Full thrash assault was a big success and new bands are springing up from all over the place.
Great all-dayer coming up in Edinburgh.
Chewin Druids Gaz to start a winter thrash all-dayer.

I see no lack of steam, everyone is simply busy behind closed doors making it happen. The change I've noticed in the past 2.5 years is that the boys that have worked bloody hard are doing well for themselves.

I think things are going good at the moment.Five or six signed bands,an other hand full of great bands on the verge of something big.One of the great things of late has been the rise of crossover bands recording and doing DIY tours.Fair play i say.
Re: the uk developing its own sound,its all just personal opinion.I think the bands you mentioned were all playing a metallica/xentrix style thrash in 2004 and are all doing something intresting and new (well not deadfall saddly) in 2009.To me any band from ireland ,england,scotland or wales who sound like where they come from is a good thing.Amok sound scottish, muntant sound like a buch of laandeners you know? A lot more favorable than a gerneraic james hetfeild or grunty aproch.

Feemo more or less summed it up! Alot of bands putting in the hours and having it pay off one way or another, we have a 2nd EP being recorded in a weeks time and heading into Europe for a second time to play the main stage at a major festival. No lack of steam from where I'm sitting, just ploughing on through!

It would seem you and your mates are all out of the loop as to what is going on currently! Of course people could say that UK Thrash is limited to this forum in the sense of news and what is going on etc. but isnt that the point? This is our HQ! As long as the promoters who setup shows keep on pushing and promoting, the UK Thrash scene is growing more and more. And here is where it all comes together online!

We are a community and as such a movement of sorts!

I guess I've just been out of the loop. All changing at the moment though, no better way of getting back into the swing of things. What's media coverage been like? I remember back in early 07-mid 07 it was everywhere, kerrang, metal hammer, zero tolerance, even some mentions in bigger magazines.

I've never had enough cash to buy metal mags regularly.

UK Thrash wise it's been good, Ian has been doing an awesome job at keeping the fire burning at Terrorizer and recently, Warpath, Pitiful Reign have had features and Mutant soon to have one. ZT were at FTA reviewing as well so on a live review front as well thigns are still cool.

With more releases coming this year (including another EP from us! ) then again media wise it will all keep flowing!

Things are different to two or three years ago, the scene has matured nicely, with a number of bands getting signed or self releasing, there is no shortage of things for me to write about, Terrorizer Magazine has a new section called Choice Cuts which is aimed specifically at the smaller bands and as James says I've managed to get a lot of coverage for the scene with more to come. It would be good to see even more bands coming, new blood is always needed, check out Lifeless if you want a top bollock new UK Thrash band!

All I need to do is get Seregon in Terrorizer and I can rest, my work will be done.

SSS are were apperently 16 songs into a 3rd album aswell at the time of FTA. So maybe more now?

Also Visceral Attack are going to kill everybody with their thrashtastic musical storm!

Ahh all good news then. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing a lot of these releases, in a lot of ways more than back in 07.

Good thread!!

I think its safe to say that thrash in the UK is on a steady balance at the moment...but by this time next year, thrash will be on our side completely and there will be an explosion of face-melting noise!

2008/2009 is definatley the rumbling in the volcano, and its gonna errupt next year: bands, fans, killer tours and bigger media coverage.

I really hope UK thrash gets the recognition it deserves this time round!!

I'm very optimistic about UK Thrash for the next year with a few bands sure to get signed and a few more to just go it alone and self publish.

Bands need to keep on working hard though. More touring, more press, more podcast, more EPs, more material.

I sometimes think that UK bands are too easily satisfied with playing a London/Manchester/Leeds gig and don't seem to milk the opportunity enough. Work work work.

metaldazza wrote:I'm very optimistic about UK Thrash for the next year with a few bands sure to get signed and a few more to just go it alone and self publish.

Bands need to keep on working hard though. More touring, more press, more podcast, more EPs, more material.

I sometimes think that UK bands are too easily satisfied with playing a London/Manchester/Leeds gig and don't seem to milk the opportunity enough. Work work work.

yeah it think bands need to work harder, if yer already working really really hard....work harder!!!

its not easy but if we all pull together we can take over the world

i think a lot of it is down to fans being arsed to actually attend.
the bands are a lot busier in comparison to the fans.

considering theres 600 odd members on here,i wonder if we could ever get 30 south east based forumers at the same london gig.thatd be an achievement.
rather than the usual "skint" or "mission" excuses.

theres always a mixture of 10-20 odd at some of the bigger gigs.but if that same bunch,plus a few more could make the smaller gigs then im sure the venues/promoters etc would catch on and the word in general would spread and help the scene thrive and give some of the unsigned bands who have been on the circuit for quite some time a well deserved boost.

also for the price of some of the huge gigs ie:stadium/arena sized gigs.you could go to 3 or 4 of these smaller gigs instead and support the bands of today rather than some overpriced band from the 80s reunion mega tour.also you dont need to take binoculars or be charged crazy money for drinks at the smaller gigs.

of course festivals abroad need saving for.

i prefer the uk based all dayers.ie:Slaughterdays,Rage days,Metalbrew etc.

in general chat last year i put a thread called "a thrashtastic year".i went to 34 gigs in total.in late july i'll be doing this years one(august 08-aug09)
i can tell you all now that ive smashed the 34 target by far.

if i lived in london id be out even more.there is so much going on.

i know its a little more sparse in some non london areas at times but i think if there were more like Origamikid and Thrashduck who venture all over to attend thrash gigs then thatd still make a positive difference.

meluaz wrote:yeah it think bands need to work harder, if yer already working really really hard....work harder!!!

you dick