Ravager – From Us With Hate

Ravager, four albums in now, deliver on “From Us With Hate” a punishing loveletter to the old guard of thrash without sounding slavish or stale. The energy is high, the riffs are sharp, the solos burn, and for much of the forty-odd minutes you feel like you’re neck-deep in moshing chaos in the best way.

The album kicks off with “Freaks Out Of Control,” a songs that starts slow with ominous guitar before smashing into high speed. From there “Alone We Won’t Survive” and “Curse The Living, Hail The Dead” continue the assault; tight riffing, backing vocals where needed, chorus parts that both scream and sing. “Aggressive Music For Aggressive People” and “Speed Trap” show the band’s ability to shift gears: they don’t always stay in maximal speed mode but when they do, they hit hard. The title track “From Us With Hate” brings more melody, more dynamics, a slightly more measured approach so the heavier moments hit harder by contrast. “Time Has Come (To End All Wars)” offers a breather-tempo section, more room to breathe, which adds weight to the faster, more furious tracks. Then “Legends Of The Lightning” and “Defender” bring things toward the closing stretch; “Defender” especially is impressive, being long, ambitious, several tempo shifts, solos, and buildups that let the band show they’ve got more than just aggression. The closing cover of “Bonded By Blood” by Exodus is rough around the edges, unlikely to replace the original, but as homage it works well in context, closing the album with a nod to the roots.

Production is strong. The mix balances clarity and rawness: drums punch, guitars cut cleanly even when menacing, vocals are harsh yet intelligible just enough, the bass gives depth. There are moments when the faster songs blur a little in their mid-mix, when tonality leans on the familiar too much, but the rough edges add character rather than detract. The songwriting is tight on most tracks, though some of the midtempo choruses feel expected, the structures feel safe in places. A few riffs echo too closely riffs from the thrash greats, the band wears their influences on their sleeve and occasionally you wish for a twist, a surprise.

What stands out is the consistency and live energy. Ravager feel confident in their identity: they know what they do well and double down. The solos are satisfying, the transitions between speed, groove, and boilerplate thrash elements are mostly well handled. The moments of melodic tension show they can stretch beyond pure thrash assault, giving breathing room without losing momentum.

Overall “From Us With Hate” is not a leap into uncharted territory, but it is a strong statement in Ravager’s discography. For fans of old school thrash who want something tight, brutal, energetic, but still recognizably rooted in that classic era, this album delivers. Some songs could be more memorable, some chorus parts more daring, but it’s a solid showing.