Arch Enemy: Stigmata Ltd Clr

LP Record Arch Enemy are the pinnacle of Swedish retro thrash/death metal. These Scandinavians hammer out old-school, banger riffs in the calibre of Slayer and Destruction with such ease and joy that your neck muscles will start headbanging almost on their own. Surprisingly, they manage to insert twin-guitar melodic licks between the chainsaw chord sequences, often reminiscent of early Iron Maiden records and gut-wrenching death metal songs. "Stigmata" is further enhanced by brilliant song ideas and wonderfully aggressive, yet never over-the-top, vocals. And best of all: these guys can play for their lives.