You’ve heard the phrase “never judge a book by its cover.” In metal, this aphorism generally doesn’t apply. An album’s artwork usually gives at least some insight into the type of music you’re going to hear. The cover art for Assaulter’s Salvation Like Destruction is misleading, though-a birdlike monolith stretches its wings against an ominous-looking sky, and the band’s logo is all clean lines. Not exactly what I’d expect to see gracing the cover of an album that crunches like war-weary soldiers trampling the hollow skulls of their enemies. Maybe I’ve just been too caught up in the stereotype.

Salvation Like Destruction begins old-school style in the form of “Talon and Teeth,” a track that builds into an all-out thrash assault. “The Axiom Star” follows suit, though at a slower pace. A buzzing guitar tone and the relentless beating of the drums give the songs a weathered feel, while the guitar’s solid (and dirty) attack places the emphasis on the band’s thrash capabilities. There’s a little bit of black metal to be heard, especially in tracks like “Proselytiser,” but with Assaulter there’s a fine line between one genre and the other. “Between Gods and Men” closes out the record with a nearly somber, war-like cadence, the band seemingly thoroughly satisfied with pummelling the shit out of their listeners’ ears.

Assaulter gnash their collective teeth to mold a new album that sounds almost like it was written and recorded 20 years ago. Salvation Like Destruction spews venom like Venom and holds a special place in its blackened core for Sodom-worship. These Aussies know a thing or two about creating a timeless sound-one that grows exceedingly more popular each day. Unlike some of their peers in the new thrash scene, Assaulter authentically brings the aggression and the hate of old-school thrash.

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