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BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK
Black Sword Thunder Attack

No Remorse (2025)
Rating: 8/10

This cult Greek band has one of the most heavy metal monikers ever, and an album cover that looks like it was created in 1985! I had high hopes for this debut album from Black Sword Thunder Attack and fans have certainly waited long enough because the band released their first demo in 2002 but for some unknown reason waited another nine years to issue their second and another five for their third. The combo went quiet again until 2020 when their EP March Of The Damned emerged with a whimper, but now, with the passing of another five years Black Sword Thunder Attack finally drops a full-length album.

With a line-up of Mareike (vocals), Chris (guitar and keyboards), Stelios (bass) and Marios (drums), the album features ten tracks with a total run time just shy of 40 minutes. As you can predict by the icy cover art this is an old school sounding slab of traditional metal heated by its slick axe work and an equally old school production, although I’m not sure if that’s intentional.

Vocally, Mareike is somewhat lost in the mix but it does add to the charm, especially as the guitars swirl around them from the opening strikes of ‘The Black Sword’ to the closing bass-led gallop of ‘Gates Of Fire’. There are some top notch Greek metal bands out there, some of which are over-produced but in the case of this opus there is a lo-fi yet spellbinding nature which draws you into its warmth.

When I hear songs like ‘Evil Sorcery’, ‘Anvils Of War’ and ‘Master Of Hell’ I’m transported back to the mid-80s import racks where gems like this would loiter, waiting to be plucked up by some unsuspecting fool willing to part with their hard earned cash for an over-priced and probably warped disc.

‘Song In The Night’ exhibits the quality of the axe work that sizzles with aplomb. There’s so much misty melody behind the grey walls of nostalgic smoke, particularly with the synth-led doominess of ‘Don’t Hear The Sirens’ and the heroic power metal pomp of ‘Through The Fires Of Hell’. The guitar work is so rich, breathing heat into each striding rhythm before the tumbles of percussion and bass enter. Fans of 80s US power metal will be enthralled by the slow burning subtlety of ballad ‘Last Flight Of The Eagle’ and the equally emphatic and Gothic swoons of ‘On The Way Of Acheron’.

Black Sword Thunder Attack fans that have salivated in anticipation for this release won’t be disappointed and if you’re unfamiliar with this clan then I suggest you purchase this record with haste.

Neil Arnold

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