Ghoul – Dungeon Bastard

Band – Ghoul

Album – Dungeon Bastards

Country of Origin – USA

Genre – Crossover Thrash

Release Date – July 29th, 2016

Label – Tankcrimes

Author – Hayduke X

I generally listen to SERIOUS METAL.  You know, INTELLIGENT METAL or ARTISTIC METAL.   The type that comes in four different color options from a BOUTIQUE LABEL and features a combination of seventeen different genre styles, an artistic theme, and maybe, just maybe, a political message, but its so obscure you can’t really.  Ghoul is not that band and Dungeon Bastards is not that album.  Instead, from the very first riff, I was transported back to my 15 year old self, down in my basement bedroom, boom box cranked to 11, and shouting along with Mike that “All I wanted a Pepsi.  Just one Pepsi.” 

Stylistically, Ghoul is a combination of three parts thrash, two parts hardcore punk, and one part death metal.  Dungeon Bastards is a fun, gory romp that never takes itself too seriously.  The anonymous four piece from ‘Creepsylvania’ have master the art of ripping, shredding, bashing, screaming and shouting about gore, war, and more all with a smirk on their collective bloody masked faces.  Vocals are alternately shouts, death growls, and gang vocals, all at the frenetic pace set by the shredding string section, over top of the rock solid drum kit.

In all honesty, I had forgotten that metal could be so fun.  Imagine shouting along with the following: “I am the bringer of war/Behold the fury of my roar”  Good times!  Give in, shout along, and mosh your ass off!

Recommendation:  An old-school crossover romp!  I wonder if I can find it on cassette to play in my boom box while I walk around the mall? Rating:  3.5/5