A semi-legendary Italian metal band from the eighties, Italians Bulldozer released four albums in thrash's heyday which took their primary influence from the likes of Venom and early Bathory. Having lain dormant for 20 years, it was perhaps unsurprising that in 2009 they joined the reformation craze and produced a new album, Unexpected Fate, now given a re-release with a few bonuses tacked on to the end.
Aside from a slightly more modern, mainstream thrash feel this could have been released 'back in the day' (although some of the lyrics, such as "Micro V.I.P."'s swipe at social networking, also betray the disc as a 21st century product). There's a raw 'first take' feel to much of the material, which although sounding slightly amateur in one sense, is quite refreshing in these days of pro-tools and click tracks. The songs romp along merrily, replete with gang chants, quirky riffs, widdly solos and A.C. Wild's slightly punkish vocal delivery – more Lemmy than Tom Araya.
The bonus tracks for this edition are four live cuts recorded at Germany's Rock Hard festival in 2010. Its clear that A.C. Wild is an engaging front man (he cheerfully boasts of one of their 'classic' eighties albums getting a 'great' score in Metal Hammer at the time – a whopping zero points!) and the band can deliver in the live environment. Whether this is enough for fans who already have the album to shell out again is highly debatable, but for those who don't know the band but are interested in raw thrash metal with punk and NWOBHM influences might like to investigate further.
Track Listing
1. Unexpected Fate
2. Acts of Blasphemy
3. Salvation for Sale
4. Use Your Brain
5. Micro V.I.P.
6. Bastards
7. Buried Alive By Trash
8. The Counter-Crusade
9. The Prediction
10. In The Name
11. 9th Circle of Hell (Live)
12. Minkions (Live)
13. Micro V.I.P. (Live)
14. Wilful Death
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