NECRONOMICON "Revenge Of The Beast"
The first re-release of the sixth full-length studio album by cult German Thrash Metal band.
Necronomicon made an honest attempt at a comeback with 2004's "Construction Of Evil". But "Revenge Of The Beast" it's damned well the best album the band have whipped up since 20 years prior! “Revenge Of The Beast” marks the 25th anniversary of the band’s existence, and although only the forbidding voice and riffs of frontman, Volker "Freddy" Fredrich, remains of the original fold, you wouldn’t know it by how remarkably similar it sounds to the band’s renowned late 80s classics!
The band is still drawing from the same well as their more famous peers Sodom and Destruction, but they do so with enough finesse to get the blood circulating and the limbs thrashing out in anger. Tempos are kept high, the songs are characteristically evil yet sincere trip into a realm of unspeakable horror, rather than the homeboy driven nonsense that many American Thrashers can’t seem to pull themselves out of. The guitars are savage and powerful, they sound potent enough to grind meat with. Freddy likewise sounds great, like a cousin to both Schmier and Angelripper, his sneering giving the music below all the authentic character it needs to charm the German Thrash Metal diehard. Freddy’s vocals tend to maintain a sort of 2-dimensional affect here, going back and forth between his signature Punk inspired shouts and an occultist chant while making really odd metaphors lyrically pagan imagery right out of a shaman ritual.
Necronomicon stands as the flawless D’Artagnan that avoided the mistakes of the Teutonic 3 Musketeer, and thus perhaps worthy of a greater level of respect in some sense. “Revenge Of The Beast” is a worthy and consistent new addition to a brilliant discography of quasi-melodic, riff oriented Thrashing goodness that would fare well against many of the albums of the late 80s.
Crushing aggressive old school pure Teutonic Thrash Metal! Pure Necronomicon!!
2024 remastered, limited edition coloured vinyl in soft-touch laminated cover with embossed band logo, including completely renewed artwork and printed innersleeve with full lyrics restored for the first time.
Total Metal Records, 2008/2025 (TMR040-195/LP). Made in Ukraine. Pressed in Germany.
Tracklist:
Side A
1. Magic Forest 3:26
2. Haunted 3:23
3. Warfare 3:38
4. Blood Sky 4:21
5. Who Dies? 4:53
6. Skull & Bone 5:20
Running time: 25:12min.
Side B
1. Nightstalker 3:15
2. On Pain of Death 3:29
3. Refugee 3:45
4. Commit Suicide 4:35
5. War in the Cradle 5:05
6. One Universe 4:03
Running time: 24:20min.
Total playing time: 49:32min.
BIOGRAPHY:
One moment that will undoubtedly go down in the annals of Thrash Metal history occurred in Germany at August 1984, when four young men, Volker “Freddy” Fredrich, Lars “Lala” Honeck, Jürgen “Jogi” Weltin and Axel Strickstrock, decided to launch what was to become the countries’ cult Thrash Metal Band – NECRONOMICON.
Recognizing the urban character and Punk roots that made the band so original, fans and media alike responded enthusiastically to the debut album, “Necronomicon” (1986), which caught the attention of the Thrash Metal scene and garnered not only praise for the band, but also created the solid foundations of a fan base, that has remained with the band throughout the years.
NECRONOMICON’s second album, “Apocalyptic Nightmare”, was released in 1987 and interest in the band continued to grow significantly worldwide, with South America, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Soviet Union becoming strongholds. The hit singles, “Magic Forest”, “Dark Land” and “Possessed by Evil”, have become Thrash Metal classics and taken on cult status.
The legendary album, “Escalation” (1988), earned Punk Thrashers the name “Thrash Cult”, climbing to the Top 30 in the Rock Charts in Greece… Sadly, NECRONOMICON’s future was not to be plain sailing, and the hard crash is come. After the release of their fourth album, “Screams” (1994), the band lost all their equipment when the rehearsal room burned to the ground.
To make matters worse, the new label disappeared shortly after releasing the album, and the band was cheated. The label went bankrupt, money was misappropriated, and there were burglaries and fires. The label’s lack of support and inconsistencies caused many problems, and the band forced to go through a long and expensive court case in order to regain ownership of its own name.
But twiddling their thumbs and surrendering to fate was not really in the nature of NECRONOMICON. So, they went through a long and costly legal process, shed perhaps a few tears, and finally got their rights reinstated after 3 years and started again… the stage was set for a full onslaught!
NECRONOMICON’s determination pushed the band forward, and after the demo “Possessed Again!” (2000) came the highly acclaimed fifth album, “Construction Of Evil”, in 2004. The outstanding reviews were a soothing balm on the band’s wounds as they watched it rise to Number 6 in the Spanish charts. The fans got crazy and begged for more.
“Revenge Of The Beast” came out worldwide in 2008 and was the first release under a foreign label. The press finally brought the band out of the “shadow of other Thrash Greats”, making it into the top 20 of several Rock Charts and going on to capture many new hearts whilst on tour in Europe and Russia.
The line-up has several changes through the years; co-founders Jogi, Lala and Axel were unable to continue with the band through either health or personal reasons, leaving Freddy as the only original member, and he made NECRONOMICON his life’s purpose and passion...
In 2012, the highly anticipated album, “Invictus”, came on the market and caused quite a stir. The press totally rolled over with praise and showed that the title “Thrash Cult” was not just a nice footnote. With “Invictus”, NECRONOMICON’s individuality and skill in terms of songwriting goes from strength to strength, exceeding all expectations with a full sound and terrific production.
The eighth album titled “Pathfinder... Between Heaven And Hell” (2015) finished at 11th place overall in Metal Hammer Magazine and was voted one of the best Metal albums in 2015 in South America.
During 2016-2017, NECRONOMICON played Total Metal Over Europe Tour, visiting Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, as well as played several shows in Germany. In June 2017 the band played an Argentinean tour; and in May 2018 NECRONOMICON headline SinFest in Malta.
“Unleashed Bastards” album was released in September 2018 and became probably the hardest, heaviest and most uncompromising album since the heavy hitting legendary debut album “Necronomicon”. The album was in the top ten reviews in all reputable magazines worldwide. The part of tracks from the album, as well as old and well-known rockers, appeared in the band’s set-list at Total Metal Over Europe – Unleashed Bastards Tour 2019, runned through Poland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Czech, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Italy.
Unfortunately, fate caught up with the band once again, and Chris (drums) was no longer able to cope with the stress of touring due to health problems, and Mike (guitar) also had to strike the sails and left the band.
Luckily, replacements were found quickly with none other than the great drummer from Canada Rik “Roundcat” Charron (ex-Exciter), and American solo-guitarist Glen Shannon, who played with members of Fates Warning, Pentagram and others.
During the worldwide Covid-19 pandemia, the tenth album was recorded in a renewed line-up. “The Final Chapter” is in essence a new chapter for the band – it’s the first time that the band has international members, so the sound is different, but, oddly enough, you still know it’s NECRONOMICON – due to founding member Freddy, and his distinctive songwriting style, and Marco Lohrenz on bass and backing vocals. The album was released in 2021 by El Puerto Records. To support the new album, NECRONOMICON goes to Total Metal Over Europe – The Final Chapter Tour, with support of 3000AD, Strident and Stonecast bands.
Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind – NECRONOMICON has never been stronger!!
Line-up:
Freddy Necronomicon – voc./guitar
Marco Lohrenz – bass
Rik “Roundcat” Charron – drums
Glen Shannon – guitar
Discography:
“Revenge Of The Beast” LP, 2025, Total Metal Records
“Construction Of Evil” LP, 2024, Total Metal Records
“The Demos” CD/LP, 2024, Vic Records
“Constant To Death” CD, 2023, El Puerto Records
“Invictus” LP, 2022, Total Metal Records/G.U.C. Records
“The Final Chapter” CD, 2021, El Puerto Records
“Invictus” MC/CD/Box Set, 2020, Total Metal Records
“Unleashed Bastards” CD/LP, 2018, El Puerto Records
“Pathfinder... Between Heaven And Hell” CD, 2015, Trollzorn Records (SMP Records)
“Invictus” CD, 2012, Massacre Records
“Revenge Of The Beast” CD/LP, 2008, Xtreem Music
“Construction Of Evil” CD, 2004, Remedy Records
“...Possessed Again!” Demo CD, 2000, Self-released
“Screams” CD, 1994, D&S Recording
“Lucky Strikes” Demo Tape, 1992, Self-released
“Necronomicon” CD/MC, 1991, Kraze (Maze Music)
“Apocalyptic Nightmare” CD/MC, 1991, Kraze/Maze Music
“The Devils Tongue” (Alternate title of “Escalation”) MC, 1990, LaserLight Digital/Delta Music GmbH
“Escalation” CD, 1988, Scratch Records/GAMA International
“Escalation” LP, 1988, Tales Of Thrash Records/GAMA International
“Apocalyptic Nightmare” LP, 1987, Scratchcore Records/GAMA International
“Necronomicon” LP, 1986, Wave Records/GAMA International
“Blind Destruction” Demo Tape, 1985, Self-released
“Total Rejection” Demo Tape, 1985, Self-released
***
ALL TIME METAL
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