Meltdown is a thrash band from Pittsburgh PA, USA.
Meltdown - Executioner (Independent) 2007
1. "One by One"
(3:31)
2. "Executioner" (4:25)
3. "Black Tar Sin" (6:51)
4. "Death and Destruction" (4:07)
5. "Murdered to Death" (5:36)
6. "Souls" (7:10)
7. "Panic" (4:46)
8. "Double the Blood" (5:50)
9. "Thrashatonement" (2:51)
10. "Next Attack" (4:45)
In 2007 there seems to be a flux of new, young bands with a classic thrash metal sound. Meltdown are one such band. Their sound is fast, aggressive and has a sound not unlike "Bonded by Blood", "Kill 'Em All", "Endless Pain" and "We Have Arrived". If from those album titles you don't know exactly the sound I am describing, chances are you are not a metal fan. I found the band's description of themselves especially cool, "Meltdown is nothing more than four guys living for fast, aggressive, attitude driven music. We know how to play guitar and we wear clothes that fit us." The music is raw, just like those early thrash metal years gone by. Don't expect perfect production or a perfect vocal performance. The vocals are delivered with a punk-like attitude. There are no metalcore or nu-metalish influences here at all. Meltdown are bringing back that old school heavy metal attitude and sound. That is not to say that the band are a bunch of slackers. Rather, the riffs are accomplished, the guitar solos fast and furious, and the rhythm section is tight. While most of the songs are fast, the band knows how to add in the mid-paced riffs to give their songs some variety. Standout tracks are the infectious "Panic" and "Next Attack". "Soul" also stands out in my mind with it's mid-paced, mosh groove in the middle of the song breaking up the monotony of the speed assault the rest of the song offers. Easily as good as anything from those early Bay Area bands, although I suppose an argument could be made that there is nothing groundbreaking here either. In my opinion, music isn't about "being groundbreaking" or constantly trying to come up with something completely new from everyone else, rather it's about playing what you like. Meltdown, along with bands like Merciless Death, Exile, Fueled By Fire, Avenger of Blood are strapping on their bullet belts, leather jackets and denim vests and bringing old school thrash metal back to the metal masses. More power to 'em!