Riverge – Rebirth of Skull (re-issue)

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After the recent fast, manic and grin-inducing album from Japan’s Impaler, another re-release (this time from fellow countrymen Riverge) has found its way from Rock Stakk records by way of German label MDD. However whilst Impaler were fast, dirty and with an enormous sense of fun, Riverge are a lot more groovy, chuggy and far less frantic. This works slightly against them – mostly because their style of thrash poorly suits their low production values. Riverge’s style is much less like bands such as Death Angel (although admittedly there are common elements), and some odd halfway between crossover thrash and the likes of early Metallica. It is definitely still on the dirty side of the genre, somewhat loose in how the music is played, with slurred vocals and a bare-essentials production. With a style like this a good dose of speed is really required – that’s present in songs such as Damned World (a bonus track on this edition along with a live version of A And A), but too often it doesn’t feel fast enough to outshine its shortcomings. There’s no spectacular skill on display, nor are there any particularly interesting riffs or songs. It isn’t dreadful by any means, but definitely never feels anything more than okay. Ultimately, given its general obscurity (and likely difficulty to obtain), Rebirth of Skull won’t be one to keep your eye out for.

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Re-release, Thrash Metal, Riverge