Full-length (2008)
(Reviewer: James Ashbey)
Everything about Warpath speaks of a hard-working and highly professional outfit, from their meticulous press pack to the impressive promo video for ‘Damnation’ and the boon of having their debut album mastered by James Murphy (Death, Testament, Obituary). These factors can only achieve so much though, and the real verdict must be based on musical credentials. Unfortunately, I struggled to find anything exciting about Warpath’s sound. ‘Damnation’ may tick all the right boxes as an aggressive-but-clinical thrash release, but the album possesses very little discernible character, fuelled by unmemorable chug riffs, excessive double-bass drumming and Americanised vocals. Sadly the hyper-modern production only adds to this verdict for me, despite being an impressive feat for an unsigned act. Fans of the present day output of bands like Exodus and Onslaught might find redeeming qualities in this release, and Warpath’s live assaults are no doubt a different story, but on record they seem to offer very little for anyone looking for thrash with identity.
