Sadus 'Illusions' Sadus Records When most people think of the Thrash Metal they tend to think of two main scenes, either the German movement of the early/mid 80's dominated by the likes of Kreator, Destruction, Sodom etc or the US scene that came along slightly thereafter featuring a more polished and adept set of bands including the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Testament etc. Scratch the surface and you'll find many more bands worthy of your attention who generally tended to bastardize the best from both sides of the Atlantic. California's Sadus ripped the Thrash scene a new asshole back in 1988 with their self-released frenzy 'Illusions', (also later released via Roadrunner) being technical and bluntly single minded all in one. On first listen many were convinced this was yet another German speed machine, due mainly to the distinctly Mille Petrozza-esque vocal attack of Darren Travis, but something about the sound betrayed the band's less than Teutonic roots. Maybe it was the NWOBHM style opening of 'Undead' and 'Fight or Die' (does that sound like 'Powerslave' to you too?) or the heavily bass driven sound of signature tune 'Sadus Attack' that gave it away, the latter song allowing Travis to let rip with some seriously unhinged, almost Burzum-like shrieking which was really the only approach possible given the unrelenting pace of the band's material. This was one of the fastest releases unleashed at the time, turning the dial still further than Slayers landmark 'Reign in Blood' and ignoring any pretence at subtlety instead favouring out and out barbarism. Perhaps the aim was to great a sound equally appealing to the Thrash legions and the growing Death Metal hordes. 'Hands of Fate' and 'Twisted Face' featured some hyperblasts in their midst that raised 'Illusions' from mere speed Metal into something more menacing. Listening to this frantic collection left the jaw locked, the neck taut and the fist clenched........it was a grueling listening experience simply because the band's finger was never off the trigger. They new they could play fast, and they wanted you to bow down before the masters. Sadus' pulse was Jon Allen's percussive dexterity and Steve Di Giorgio's immediately recognisable bass flap, often playing along with the main riff rather than providing simple rhythmic back up, and introducing a technical element into the band and into Thrash Metal generally that was to remain his trademark and serve him well in the later, more musically mature Death line up. After the all out war of 'Ilusions' had bamboozled the mind with its precision pistol whipping, it came as a shock to discover that Sadus were committed stoners. From mellowing out, these four lunatics seemed to tune-in to their respective abilities still further when ridin' high.........and maybe the relaxed vibe they enjoyed made them so distinctive, so out there, so incessentantly fast and to this day, so prime an example of Thrash Metal's ability to vocalise knife-edge aggressive perfection. www.sadus.tk Released 1988 Dan Tobin