Lich King - Super Retro Thrash (StormSpell Records)

Genre: (8-bit) Thrash Metal 
Year: 2011
Country: U.S.A.
Tracklist:  

1.	Lich King III (World Gone Dead)	05:48
2.	Combat Mosh	04:39
3.	ED-209	03:38
4.	Toxic Zombie Onslaught	04:20
5.	Black Metal Sucks	02:36
6.	Behaver	04:38
7.	Wage Slave	03:50
8.	Act Of War	04:54
9.	Attack of the Wrath of the War of the Death of the Strike of the Sword of the Blood of the Beast	03:48
		38:11

Review:
So you probably have heard of Lich King by now, if you haven't let me introduce them, started in 2004 they play gimmicky straight played thrash metal influenced by the classic bay area style.

I bought this album from the label, StormSpell Records itself. Stormspell has been known to bring out high quality releases of 80 demos/eps and new band playing one or another 80s style. So Lich King is a safe bet for them.

There is a limit to 299 hand-numbered copies normally but they have some spare copies where you
get the number punched out instead of a number (like what my copy is), but lets be honest, thats not whats important.

On to the artwork, having it pictured as a NES game sure tells you whats awaiting you on this album, but too bad the nes cartridge drawing doesn't fill thewhole picture because that green background is just hideous to be honest.

The booklet is just a 2 page insert, not suprising considering there are no lyrics to be found here. But still the 8-bit representation of the band members all add to a certain charm. I must admit the cd-art itself is pretty neat.



But on to the music, what do we get?

Lich King playing covers of some of their previous songs in a 8 bit videogame music style.

Does it work?
Well its hit and miss really. I found out that I really love the idea, it throws me back to my old gaming habits. On the other hand not all the songs chosen here simply work as an 8 bit version (take black metal sucks), it does not fit at all. No clear melody to be found here just a whole lot of repeating the same thing and thats not really good music.

8 Bit music was normally composed by real composers making truly super pieces of art.
Here it can show that the songs weren't really mend to be played in such a basic, minimalistic style.
Knowing that Lich King isn't the most progressive band around you have lots of moments that truly aren't any good.

Anyways after everything is said and done its still a pretty neat item to have in your record collection
and worth a listen to if you are either fan of the band or of old 8 bit music.

Rating:


Where to buy?:
http://stormspell.bigcartel.com/