Symbolizer - Thanatos Unleashed CD - Import

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"Singer and guitarist Rasmus has a great, raw, yet melodic voice, fitting perfectly with the songs that draw influences from bands like OVERKILL, ARTILLERY, MELIAH RAGE or XENTRIX and ONSLAUGHT. You will find some very touching compositions that are great to headbang to. Killer debut album!"Hellion Records, Germany, 3 December 2010. (Read full review below.

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Band description:

Symbolizer is a metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark, formed in 2001. The band plays self-penned thrash metal which is both hard-hitting and melodic. The lyrics deal with war, social and philosophical themes. Symbolizer has made heads bang at many venues in Denmark including The Rock, Lille Vega and Stengade 30, and they are an experienced live outfit. The band participated in a compilation CD released in 2002, made a promo CD in 2005 and released their debut full-length CD album Thanatos Unleashed through Hellion Records in Germany in December 2010.

Full review from Hardnheavy, Italy, 10 April 2011:

Symbolizer - Thanatos Unleashed

Despite a tough underground apprenticeship that stretches back well over a decade now, and a live activity that has seen them perform on the most renowned venues in their native land of Denmark, the band Symbolizer reviewed here today finally release their long-awaited debut album, and thanks to the eight excellent songs on "Thanatos Unleashed", they have succeeded in attracting the attention of the German label Hellion Records, which when it comes to promotion should guarantee them good media exposure.

The CD's title and cover art work leave us in little doubt about the style intended by the three Northern Europeans in question, who manage to focus their own musical approach around a purely American school of thrash metal, providing an equal balance between more intricate structures and melodic embroidery that blend to perfection to create a certain sonic cynicism, with lyrics and themes of a predominantly belligerent nature.

A musical style built on scores whose harmony has its roots in traditional metal, in which there is a certain basic primeval life force, as well as a strong technical approach, these are elements that insinuate themselves skilfully between the stormy mists of the opening track "Paradox" or the equally effective "Politicians", two excellent examples of ethereal and aggressive thrash metal, characterised by a hail of riffs and dynamic solos, sung by the fine voice of Rasmus Kiaer, present in the double capacity of guitarist, weaving the sick threads of an onslaught that knows no pause or shows any sign of abating, so that from the title track "Thanatos Unleashed", an out-and-out statement of intent, irreverent and unscrupulous as required, played in intentionally sombre rhythms, to the splendid "Illusive Future", pure techno thrash metal reminiscent of the lessons imparted by Annihilator's first two albums, to "Transfixed in Time", whose composition involves a more violent score, the tracks reflect the merciless development of a metallic avalanche of immense proportions, ready to carry you away in a continuous whirl of endless emotions of time and space.

A genuine, simple, honest and direct album, just like the band who made it, an excellent incentive to get to know a band who, I can tell you now, will be capable of continuing to maintain these levels in the future, and are entitled to be feel a measure of pride in themselves that goes far beyond the cult status they appear to have today...

Beppe "HM" Diana, Metalbrigade, Italy

Full review from Hellion Records 3 December 2010:

SYMBOLIZER - Thanatos Unleashed

This Danish band originates from Copenhagen and offers us a fine mixture between the heavier power metal and more moderate thrash sounds of the late 80s. Singer and guitarist Rasmus has a great, raw, yet melodic voice, fitting perfectly with the songs that draw influences from bands like OVERKILL, ARTILLERY, MELIAH RAGE or XENTRIX and ONSLAUGHT. You will find some very touching compositions that are great to headbang to. Killer debut album!

Hellion Records, Germany