GAME OVER – Face the End
Review by: James Thomas
Review Score: 9
The great thing about the world of thrash is that, within the genre’s walls, there are a number of different variations. Some bands go the more extreme route – employing the use of more brutal music with blast beats sprinkled here and there and guttural vocals that remind the listener of death metal. Some bands play at lightning speed throughout with vocals that sound like more of a “shout”. Still others toe a more melodic line with soaring vocals more akin to speed metal. Italian thrashers, Game Over, use ingredients from multiple styles mentioned above. Their latest slab of thrash, “Face the End”, is due out on April 25 on Scarlet Records and melds several of these sounds together to extremely satisfying effect.
Newly a 5-piece outfit for this recording, they deliver in a big and concise way, and vocalist, Danny Schiavina, is a major asset to the band’s sound. So, without further delay, let’s dive into this fresh offering in greater detail.
1) Final Hour
The listener is drawn into the experience that awaits with this instrumental track to kick off the album. It contains some futuristic sounds at the very beginning, but it doesn’t take long for nice, melodic guitar work to take over. A triumphant drum beat plays as the guitar lines continue, and the anticipation builds quite nicely.
2) Lust for Blood
As we move into the second track, let the full-on thrash attack begin! This one kicks into high gear right from the jump. The main riff in the song is nice and heavy, and the pace is incredibly fast. As mentioned, vocalist Danny Schiavina is a fantastic fit for the band’s sound – a unique blend of aggression and melody, his delivery is flawless. There is a nice, groove-laden passage as the song progresses, but the speed comes back in full force as the solo blazes forth. This is just a fantastic first “proper” track.
3) Neck Breaking Dance
Track number three begins interestingly enough with a call to essentially do a dance that will break the necks of all who partake. It’s difficult to explain, but the song has a hard rock feel to it that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Steel Panther album; yet, it somehow manages to maintain its thrash feel. There is another killer solo that comes roaring forth as Schiavina shouts “NECK BREAKING DANCE!”, and the listener is encouraged to let the good times roll. This one could easily be imagined to be a crowd pleaser in a live setting.
4) Grip of Time
A slower, but very heavy introduction gets “Grip of Time” started, but the pace picks up considerably as the vocals come in. The vocal delivery continues to balance melody and aggression quite well, and the main riff screams “THRASH” through and through. The sound of this one immediately brings Testament to mind, which would undoubtedly serve as a compliment to the band of the highest order (or should I say, “The New Order”?). Yet another face-melting solo takes hold, showing the high-quality musicianship that the entire band brings to the table. “No future left – you can’t rewind time. There’s no escape. It’s too late now – crushed inside the grip of time.” Could there be a more fitting lyric for a thrash album than this one?
5) Lost in Disgrace
As we continue on, the fifth track, “Lost in Disgrace”, is a brutal look into the harsh realities of life that we all experience at one point or another – sometimes in extended doses. Although Schiavina doesn’t quite hit the upper registers that Joey Belladonna does in Anthrax, his vocal delivery here could easily bring the legendary vocalist to mind. This track is more of the mid-paced variety, giving the album a nice changeup. The solo is more melodic as opposed to “fierce”, but it adds just the right touch to keep the track well-rounded. There is a second solo toward the end of the track that gets closer to “face-melting” status. This is a very well-done track as we’ve come to the album’s midway point.
6) Veil of Insanity
“Veil of Insanity” kicks off the latter half of the album, and as the fast guitar picking comes in, the sonic assault continues in glorious fashion. “I whisper – you will fall, fading behind the veil of insanity” – these guys know how to write thought-provoking lyrics! An early, albeit brief, solo keeps the listener guessing as the song continues. This could very well be the most aggressive track on the album. Once again, Testament comes to mind, although Overkill and even Toxik could also be referred to as influences here. A more extended solo that evokes a trance-like state in the listener breaks out as the track approaches its end. This is a major highlight on the album.
7) Gateway to Infinity
With a song title that seems more fitting for a power metal band, the seventh track begins with an epic build-up before it breaks into a type of gallop that would make Iron Maiden proud. The vocals are melodic but still delivered with a level of grit that could draw comparisons to former Evile vocalist, Matt Drake. This track is nice and heavy and proves that thrash doesn’t always have to be played at lightning speed to be effective. Some crushing double bass drumming thunders as the guitar solo comes in, adding another notch on the guitarists’ belts. This is a fantastic song – one of the best on the album.
8) Tempesta
We get another instrumental as the album approaches its final couple of tracks. As the title might suggest, sound effects reminiscent of a storm play in the background, as an eerie soundscape is created by gothic-sounding music. It sets the stage nicely for the one-two punch that concludes the album.
9) Crimson Waves
Track number nine, “Crimson Waves”, begins with a very melodic section, causing one to wonder if the band was trying to throw in a ballad. As the song picks up steam, it sounds as if it’s triumphant, yet dreadful at the same time. As Schiavina comes in with his distinct vocals, the song does, indeed, take on the feel of a ballad, although it’s very well done. Particularly on a thrash album, an attempt at a ballad could really sink the opinions of listeners if the band isn’t careful about how the song is constructed. This one is tastefully done, and the guitar work is still heavy in spots. It has a more contemplative feel overall, which adds yet another example of variety on the album. Is it the best track on the album? Probably not. But it doesn’t detract from the album either. Fans may be a bit divided on this one, but the verdict is positive in general.
10) Weaving Fate
The album comes to its conclusion with the tenth track, “Weaving Fate”. For those that weren’t particularly impressed by the previous track, strap yourselves in, because the album closer is an absolute bruiser – a wise choice by the band to leave this final impression. Once again, Evile comes to mind (think “Infected Nations”), which is never a bad thing. As the words “WEAVING FATE!” are proclaimed viciously, the first solo comes in briefly. The pace of this one rarely lets up, and the drumming and bass work do a nice job of being the backbone of the track. There is a nice groove just beyond the midway point of the song, but the speed doesn’t remain on the sideline for long. Another crushing solo helps to close the album on an incredibly strong note. “I see the darkest corner of your mind looking through memories…” This is a very fitting lyric to conclude a stellar album.
So, you might ask, “What’s the verdict?” The answer is that this album is a resounding victory. On this, the band’s sixth studio album, they continue to raise the bar with regard to the quality of musicianship and songwriting, as well as execution. It takes all of the best parts of the band’s previous efforts and improves on them in every way. Thrash lovers everywhere will want to return to this one again and again – perhaps the greatest compliment an album could be given. Plenty of albums have come and gone through the decades that listeners have likely played through once or twice and then put on the shelf, rarely to return to it, if ever.
Fear not! That won’t be the case with “Face the End”. This is a fantastic, well-executed effort from a great thrash band who shows NO signs of slowing down any time soon. All thrashers – and metal fans in general – should be encouraged to pick this one up on release day. Oh, and get ready – have the heating pads and ice packs prepared, because this one will have you wrecking your neck for years to come!
Game Over Lineup
Vocals – Danny Schiavina
Guitar – Luca Zironi
Guitar – Alessandro Sansone
Bass – Leonardo Molinari
Drums – Anthony Dantone