| Where Soldiers Die: Aardschok | Live XS | Metal Mundus | Zero Tolerance | Tony Ward | Rocktribune | Lords of Metal | Metal Links Demo 2006: Chris Kee | Jim Adams For reviews of Another Fine Wreck and the Havoc album War of Mind go here. |
 |
"this album thunders over you"
Aardschok (Netherlands) - November 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die A very appropriate cover: a tank in the desert. From the first notes on this album thunders over you and destroys everything and everyone. Add to that a production which is good too and you can be certain that this full-length cd from Wrecking Crew won't bore you for a second. And this from a Dutch band... Wrecking Crew was created in 2000 from a cover band: Havoc. The original founders Buks Kemp and Max Duijsens start writing and after two years they find in Nico Perreijn a singer who provides the missing vocals and lyrics. In 2003 this results in 'Another Fine Wreck'. The band calls it a testament to 25 years of 'Heavy Metal' made by people who have always loved metal. Nico Perreijn and guitarist Remco de Jong join the band, but it will take until 2005 before live gigs follow. So after the release of a 2-track demo in 2006 this full-length follows in 2008. Ten songs, nearly 55 minutes, of course not all songs are equally strong. But clearly audible is that a serious effort has been made. The name of the band is derived from an Overkill-track which also serves as the album's last song. Want to organise a metal party? Well, you can invite Wrecking Crew for the music!! A shame that singer Nico Perreijn is already leaving the band, so good luck with finding a new singer. Joost Doensen
Translated by Max Duijsens. Original review here.
|
 |
"good songs, good musicians"
Live XS (Netherlands) - September 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die On stage Wrecking Crew from Leiden radiate a lot of enthusiasm and fun. Sadly enough it doesn't show on this self-release, and that's a shame. Heavy metal with definite thrash influences, it certainly has potential, but then you should make certain it blows from your speakers and that's unfortunately not happening. The songs are fine, the performance in itself too. So we can conclude it's due to the production. The mixing is good because you can distinguish the instruments, but the listener isn't blown away and that is rather essential with a metal release. Still these gentlemen can attract some attention with 'Where Soldiers Die'. - It doesn't blow you away. + Good songs, good musicians. Pim Blankenstein
Translated by Max Duijsens. Original review here.
|
 |
"a great record with intelligent music"
Metal Mundus (Poland) - August 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die Wrecking Crew to thrash metal band from the Netherlands, guys have on your two full albums - "Another Fine Wreck" and who is the subject of this review "Where Soldiers Die" (live material is still on. "Live!"). Compared with the more melodic debut on "Where ..." The Dutch play a far tighter. Disappeared somewhere "inwoner? denizen?" rock, which appeared to place the proceeds of modern thrash metal infected groove'em and fragile influences of traditional heavy. Overall music Wrecking Crew associate me with what is on his third disc ( "Distortion") presented Forbidden Gentlemen of genius. A similar climate same composition, similar riffy and, above all, similar to Andersen's vocals Russa. You have to admit that Nico Perreijn has pretty vocal possibilities, because it can go with a more melodic, even melodic heavy metal (like Anderson) in a more aggressive records, associate me with an early Chuckie little Billy. Of course, other musicians also play at a very high level, particularly drummer Max Duijsens, whose style of play is very similar to Togo, which presents a Paul Bostaph (s, these associations !!!). The material is maintained in a rather liberal tempach, although there is acceleration as "Agent Slaughter" and "War Machine". You can also find here more moody moments such as in "Falling Down" (great chorus) or expanded "Lord Of The Seventh Sea" (best on the disc !!!). The only drawback is the album's sound, not selective and far too dirty for the music. To sum up, "Where Soldiers Die" is a great record with intelligent music designed especially for fans of modern thrash metal. 6.5 (out of 10) Artur Sowinski
Google translation - we're working on a better one. Original review here.
|
 |
"excellent musicianship [...] and strong songs"
Zero Tolerance (UK) - July 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die Wrecking Crew put a great many label bands to shame. Intensely blending both thrash and traditional metal into one very true-sounding album, as you'd expect from a band named after an Overkill track (they even cover said track to great effect). The combination of excellent musicianship and Nico Perreijn's powerful melodic vocals give the band a powerful sound and, most important, strong songs. 3.5 (out of 6) Steve Earles |
 |
"the music and playing is solid"
Tony Ward, session drummer (USA) - July 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die Love the cd Max. It's rough around the edges but the music and playing is solid. Reminds me of an earlier time when Metallica were kids and still hungry... and lots of great metal bands were breaking onto the scene. And I think your drumming has grown quite a bit over the years. Great stuff guys. 8.5 (out of 10) Tony Ward |
 |
"proof that good metal is timeless"
Rocktribune (Belgium) - May 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die With a band name like this you know you're dealing with fans from Overkill. And right we are. We definitely hear Overkill in the second album of this dutch band that was once called Havoc. The low-tuned guitars make for a nice groove which reminds us of Grip Inc. I think these men are able to slaughter live. Nico Perreijn is an adequate, melodic singer and the rest of the band is playing with noticeable enthusiasm. The threatening 'Lord of the Seventh Sea' and the with and old-fashioned high scream introduced 'War Machine' are especially fine songs. There is a nice bonus in the shape of the Overkill cover 'Wrecking Crew', but this rendition doesn't equal the bombast and aggression of the original. This isn't a brilliant album right away, but it is entertaining and thanks to its modern character and despite the recognisable influences proof that good metal is timeless. 71 (out of 100) JK
Translated by Max Duijsens. Original review here.
|
 |
"they sound rather catchy"
Lords of Metal (Netherlands) - April 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die Counting the album 'War Of Mind' (then under the name Havoc), 'Where Soldiers Die' is the third long player by these Dutchmen. The previous album 'Another Fine Wreck' contained a few nice tracks, but didn't have any real highlights. The Metallica influences were a bit too obvious and the hardcore sound that came along from time to time were more a musical obstacle than an addition. With this album the band shows progression on every point. The hardcore influences have been pushed more to the back and also the Metallica sound has been limited. Although the band hasn't really changed their style, the songs sound more mature and the band has followed up the path of Testament and Overkill. One of the positive sides of the band is without doubt the fact that, despite the simplicity of the songs, they sound rather catchy. Songs like 'Underground', 'World War III' and 'Agent Slaughter' (which breathes the same atmosphere as Metallica's 'Creeping Death' at some points) are good examples. Unfortunately not all songs sound as convincing and especially in the slower parts ('Eyes Of God') the band loses the track. Also when they keep on the mid-tempo parts for a long time, the songs slowly start to become tedious. And when you realise they can sound so much better by playing fast, you wonder why the band doesn't stick to what they do best. Another remarkable thing is the fact that the songs vary sound technically! And that doesn't really leave a professional impression. Altogether a reasonable release by these Dutchies, but there is enough room for improvement. 65 (out of 100) Nima
Original review here.
|
 |
"good enough to get the thrash heads banging"
Metal Links (Netherlands) - April 2008 WRECKING CREW - Where Soldiers Die We received the second demo cd from dutch metalheads Wrecking Crew. Formed out of the ashes of Havoc in 2002 and six years later ready to show us what they can do with their second demo cd, called Where Soldiers Die. You can find 10 basic thrash metal songs on this cd in the vein of bands like Overkill (but what do you expect with the bandname Wrecking Crew), maybe I could better say a mix of N.W.O.B.H.M. and late eighties thrash metal. As for the production of Where Soldiers Die, well that's hard. It's not bad, but it could be so much better, especially the drums are terribly mixed. Too bad 'cause with a better production this could be a great cd, but now the production kinda irritates after a couple of songs. And I really think that the songs are good enough to get the thrash heads banging again. And now for the songs. As I said above you can hear a lot of Overkill in their music and, for the people that know me, that's my number one Thrash band. So I like the songs hehe. Also the vocals done by Nico Perreijn are good enough, but sometimes I miss the power in his voice for this kind of metal. Also I want to mention that Wrecking Crew has won the Metal Battle for Zuid Holland (the Netherlands) which shows us that they are good. Right now for the next album: a better production and a label to release the album world wide!!! 7.5 (out of 10) Ronnie K You can read the interview Ronnie K conducted with us here! |
 |
"demonstrates great control and maturity"
Chris Kee of Zero Tolerance (UK) - December 2006 WRECKING CREW - Demo 2006 The new two-song pre-production demo from Wrecking Crew shows improvements in all areas and certainly bodes well for their soon to be recorded second album. First track, 'Falling Down', is a brooding, moody number built around a traditional metal core with some excellent lead guitar embellishments and a strong vocal performance from singer Nico and demonstrates great control and maturity. Next up it's 'War Machine' and here the band display more of their Bay Area influence, blending some furious speed and mid-paced crunch into a biting thrash attack. There's more great lead work on this number and not a second of excess fat or waste. All in all the future looks good for the Wrecking Crew. Chris Kee You can read the interview Chris Kee conducted with us here! |
 |
"the guitars are very tight and the drums are totally nailing the groove!"
Jim Adams of Defiance (USA) - November 2006 WRECKING CREW - Demo 2006 Hey Max, I wanted to give you my thoughts on your new demo: 1) Falling Down: Great intro/outro - love that guitar!! Very solid song, I really appreciate the Rush riffs that come down during the bridge section. The drums are rock solid throughout and complement the rhythms. NWOBHM lives! 2) War Machine: Oh hell yes!!! This is more my speed  The vocals are even *more* powerful than on Falling Down...which is saying something, I feel the whole band is *really* banging their heads while recording this one! This really has a great live feel to it. The guitars are very tight and the drums are totally nailing the groove!! I wish I could see you guys live!!! Maybe I will have to make a trip to the Netherlands. My family can visit the sites while I rock to Wrecking Crew!!! I think it would be worth the effort.Jim Adams  |