D.B.C. – dead brain cells CD+Slipcase

This 1987 Canadian thrash metal classic is raw and relentless, and has been remastered and reissued!
Raw and intense crossover-infused thrash metal from 1987 that any ’80s thrasher must know.

1987 was a significant year for Canadian thrash metal. Over the previous few years, bands like Voivod, Razor, Piledriver and Sacrifice had already laid the groundwork, but 1987 was the year that saw the local scene take the next step in its evolution, with a new generation of bands making their initial forays into the world of recorded music. Among them were outfits like Slaughter, Infernal Majesty, and the four-piece Montreal thrashers D.B.C. (also known as Dead Brain Cells).

Having formed in February of the previous year, D.B.C. wasted no time in releasing their eponymous debut album in collaboration with the highly regarded New York metal label Combat Records, which had already established a strong presence in the underground scene. Combat brought in the experienced Steve Sinclair and Randy Burns to handle the production and engineering duties, both of whom had impressive résumés. For a young Canadian band yet to make a name for themselves, it almost sounds too good to be true, but that was the scenario D.B.C. found themselves in when they entered the studio for the first time.

As with so many ’80s metal releases, the cover artwork for Dead Brain Cells is cheap and nasty. It was drawn by the band’s bass-playing frontman, Phil Dakin. This is likely the main reason why D.B.C. did not have the commercial success they deserved. Thankfully, however, these aesthetic issues are not representative of the musical quality contained within. Sinclair and Burns’ production work is actually very good and presents DBC in a positive light. ‘Dead Brain Cells’ certainly sounds of its time, but there’s a great energy to this music that gives the band every chance of impressing listeners.

D.B.C.’s musical style comprises several elements. Firstly, there is a sophisticated and mature modern thrash metal sound built on a love of aggressive American thrash bands such as Slayer and Nuclear Assault. D.B.C. are an extremely tight outfit, and I am often surprised by just how accomplished the compositions and arrangements are, especially considering that this was only the band’s first studio outing. Some of this material is impressively complex, and sometimes hints at the technical thrash direction the band would take for their second and final studio album, Universe, two years later.

There are no weak tracks on “Dead Brain Cells”. It’s an extremely consistent album that starts with a real bang, with the opening three songs representing its strongest part. This is top-notch thrash, and “Dead Brain Cells” sits very comfortably under the ‘undiscovered gem’ banner. Many second-tier thrash bands would love to have music with this much impact.

Tracks:

1. Deadlock
2. Monument
3. Lies
4. Power and Corruption
5. Tempest
6. Public Suicide
7. Negative Reinforcement
8. Outburst
9. M.I.A.
10. Terrorist Mind
11. The Vice
12. Trauma X
13. Final Act

Genres: Thrash Metal

Label: Hammerheart Records

Erscheinungsjahr: 2025

Künstler: D.B.C.

Spieldauer: 33:14

Format: CD

EAN: 8715392254826

GPSR Information:
Manufacturer:
Hammerheart Records BV
P.O. Box 277, 6300 AG Valkenburg, Netherlands
info(at)hammerheart.com