Mindwars V - Oxblood

High Roller Records, ltd 350, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, partial UV spot, insert, download code, Los Angeles-based thrash metallers Mindwars are back with their fifth studio album, "V". Originally self-released by the band in early 2024, it now gets it's well-deserved international exposure via High Roller Records. The trio, led by Mike Alvord, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary Holy Terror, along with Italian drummer Roby Vitari and bassist Rick Zaccaro, showcases a blend of classic thrash with a wealth of killer riffs and lyrical depth. Mindwars were founded in 2013, almost 25 years after a chance meeting between Alvord and Vitari in Europe that started a life-long friendship. The band name, of course, refers to Holy Terror's second album "Mind Wars" (1988), yet the project represents a new chapter for the guitarist. "I didn't want anyone to think this was a continuation of Holy Terror, " he clarifies. "I always looked at it as an appendage or extension, and it is only natural that there are hints of Holy Terror in our music." With Vitari's relocation to L.A. and the most recent addition of Zaccaro, Mindwars entered a new creative phase. "Having a more varied musical background and playing live together more often really brought us closer as a band, " explains Alvord, whose approach to singing has also matured on "V". "I really tried to hear melodies as a vocalist and to stay within my range, " which gave him the confidence to even record a thrashified cover of Supertramp's 'The Logical Song'. Elsewhere, "V" surprises with the nimble instrumental 'The Road to Madagascar', which was inspired by an emotional visit to a Holocaust museum, and the nine-minute 'Vultures of the Eighth Wonder', an epic journey blending influences from Al Di Meola and prog rock with metal. " It took about a year and a half to write, and some of the song got left on the cutting room floor, " comments Mike, which just shows with how much care he treats his craft. Mindwars already garnered significant attention with their live shows, opening for Raven and Mordred as well as performing at festivals such Long Live the Loud (US), Storm Crusher (Germany) or True Thrash (Japan). Looking Ahead with "V", the group is poised to continue their journey. "I go through spurts where riffs and songs start entering into my head and have already started laying down structures for what could be new songs, ", Mike announces. "But for now, we will enjoy our new label relationship and with any luck play a tour or festival or two is in our near future."