Onslaught – ‘Origins Of Aggression’

Thrash Metal

Reigning Phoenix Music

Released – May 23rd 2025

Review By Smudge Smith for Jace Media Music

I’m always interested when a band re-record their back catalogue using the latest technology along with new members. Onlsaught have done just that with a selection of from the albums made with singers, Sy Keeler and Steve Grimmett, given a major kick up the rear featuring new singer David Garnett and drummer James Perry adding a shed load of energy and aggression all produced by the legendary Jacob Hansen.

Hold on to your hats and buckle up because this is a brutal ride through ten tracks of pure aggression which includes a throwback to their hardcore punk roots. ‘Thermonuclear Devastation Of The Planet Earth’ sets the stall out early before the rabid ‘Black Horse Of Famine’ and ‘Angels Of Death’. What a 1-2-3! If you’re still standing after that trio, they bring ‘Power From Hell’ literally. Perry is a powerhouse behind the kit and Garnett roars his voice hoarse and we got loads more on ‘Metal Forces’ and ‘Let There Be Death’. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any faster, they pull out ‘Fight With The Beast’ and the galloping ‘Thrash Till The Death’. Final cuts ‘In Search Of Sanity’ and ‘Shellshock’ finish the job in fine style.

Ready for the second leg? Onslaught have always had fun with cover versions and here they give you eleven cuts from the likes of Motorhead, Discharge, The Exploited, Killing Joke, Sex Pistols, Uk Subs, Black Sabbath, GBH and Judas Priest – brave move doing ‘Freewheel Burning’ but Garnett is well up to the task.

Can’t fault this. There’s an added energy and aggression to the songs plus the up-to-date production has given new life to them too. Well worth re-investing in and this is hopefully the pre-cursor to a new album from Onslaught – soon!

Track List – Disc 1

Thermonuclear Devastation of the Planet Earth

Black Horse of Famine

Angels of Death

Power From Hell

Metal Forces

Let There Be Death

Fight With The Beast

Thrash Till The Death

In Search Of Sanity

Shellshock

Track List – Disc 2

Iron Fist

Holiday In Cambodia

A Look At Tomorrow

UK 82

Freewheel Burning

Wardance

Give Me Fire

State Violence Control

Holidays In The Sun

Emotional Blackmail

War Pigs

Drunk With Power