Angelripper and Co. are back to doing what they do best on this ripping new release "Code Red." The German thrash legends have seen and done about all a band can do in their twenty year existence, and for one that's come as far as they to put out new material that remains as significant now as it did back in the early days is simply mind-boggling.

No modern fixations or identity crisis' found here, just pulse pounding head banging in the finest neurologically threatening tradition! The sheer essence of speed metal is on full display with "Code Red," breathing fire down the necks of any of the newer artists bold enough to think they could compete on any level with the likes of a "Sodom."

"Code Red" is like cardiac arrest put to tape; a hail of bullets flying through the trenches and any such explosive elements conducive to nothing less than an active warzone where the action's reached a heated capacity. When the smoke clears, there's probably more truth than fabrication to comparing "Sodom" where they are right now at this moment, to the best not only they themselves offered in their peak condition, "Agent Orange" and beyond, but also to that of Slayer circa 1985 when their own artillery was operating at full bore. That's how explosive this album is.

For about the first ten minutes in, covering the lead title track through "What Hell Can Create" and into "Tombstone," there's simply no let up, not even the slightest break between tracks to allow for a deep breath, not even mentioning what occurs afterwards. "Code Red," shows not one sign of rust and is as powerfully crafted and performed as anything "Sodom" has done - pure sonic aggression that not even an advance warning could prepare you for!