Column

Unearthing the Metal Underground: Germany's Godslave

Yes, America’s “Big Four” and beyond are rightfully revered, but there is much more to thrash on the global scale. Germany is one of the true homes of thrash metal. Sodom, Destruction, Kreator and, to a lesser extent, Tankard have helped define the core essence of the sub-genre. Throughout the years, others have further cemented the legacy of that storied German thrash scene. One of the most notable yet often curiously overlooked is Godslave. It’s been five years since the “Positive Aggressive,” the last album to feature new material from the teutonic thrashers; of course setting aside last year’s covers album “Champions.”

https://youtu.be/L4do1JgaC6A?si=-BM91uOPcJ8b6DDz&t=1

As with most long-running bands—the Saarbrücken-based band was born 20 years ago, longer than that if we consider their precursor band Slavery which emerged in 2000—Godslave has faced its challenges, well-documented now in the 2024 documentary Hinter der Kulisse. And now, Godlsave returns with its eponymous release that reveals a band that is prepped to continue kicking and screaming. Opening number “Reset, Rebuild, Reclaim” appropriately relays this intent and what’s most important for the metal public is that they deliver the goods. However the album may ultimately be received, it’s worthy of the attention of thrash maniacs worldwide.