G R A V E W I S H

Artist...: Backwater
Album....: Final Strike
Year.....: 2021
Rel.Date.: 2021-05-03
Genre....: Heavy Metal
Label....: AM Music / Disaster
Source...: CD
Type.....: Reissue
Quality..: VBR, 44.1kHz, Joint Stereo

1.  Backwater                                              3:41
2.  Cry Out                                                4:30
3.  Ballad of Dying                                        5:37
4.  Nuclear War                                            4:33
5.  Touch of the Avenue                                    1:43
6.  Vicious                                                3:57
7.  Green-Eyed Woman                                       3:16
8.  Smokin' Drinkin'                                       3:37
9.  Backwater (Part 2)                                     3:50

34:44

Backwater play speed/heavy/thrash metal with some strong points, but a
considerable amount of fluff thrown throughout. On first acquiring this
album I thoroughly enjoyed several riff-passages, but was overall
largely forgetful of the album û it didnÆt stick in my mind as well as
many of the other albums I acquired at the same time. The style of much
of the album draws strong comparisons with Motorhead, and perhaps Tank
albeit with less well thought out arrangements. I enjoy the dirty
approach to some of the riffs, and of course the sleazy approach to some
of the lyrics which reminds me of Living Death.
This one isnÆt the best German thrash has to offer, though has some good
riffage, with strong touches of vocals smattered throughout. Cuts like
the first one are pretty enjoyable numbers, that arenÆt done any favours
by production which definitely æholdÆs downÆ the sound in my books. æCry
OutÆ has a nice evil riff in it that sounds great. This one is a dark
track with some sinister lyrics. ItÆs let down somewhat by the
unimaginative slower patches though û shooting themselves in the foot a
bit. The gallopy crunch of this one is again thwarted by lame
production.
The excellently titled æBallad of DyingÆ has a name which reminds me of
the Onslught ballad æWelcome to DyingÆ û off their album featuring Steve
Grimmett û the British one was a better effort however, with more
emotion and fury. This track is roughly executed and the ætribalÆ intro
is pretty lame too. æNuclear War; is a typical thrash affair, right down
to the subject matter and hence the song title. This is kinda one of the
more memorable moments and is enhanced by incredibly low tuned sounding
bass. æTouch of the AvenueÆ is another stronger number that has a great
title. This song is definitely Motorheadish with a rock n roll quality
and some fucking sleaze being evident in the sordid vocals a la Living
Death or Beowulf.
A couple of scorchers are let down by a lot of lamer moments and shitty
production. Top marks to the band for their sleaze though, which is a
great touch. This is pretty simplistic thrash with a lot of speed metal
in the mix. Definitely a patchy outing, this one is supplanted by
slightly better obscure German thrash releases, including Living Death,
who have a similar style. IÆm not embarrassed to have this one in my
collection though, if not only for its redeeming æsleazeÆ quality û
something I enjoy in my music. If you do too, check out Beowulf from
Venice Beach California û another thrash act with a similar sound that
surpass these guys.