Wrath — Children Of The Wicked- The Early Years

Children Of The Wicked is a three-disc CD set bringing together the first three albums from Chicago-based Thrash metal band Wrath- who play a power ‘n’ speed metal tinged, often progressive/ technical take on the genre- which was referred to as either Tech-Trash or Tech Speed.  The albums featured date from between 1986 and 1990- taking in Fit Of Anger, Nothing To Fear, and Insane Society.

The release appears on Dissonance Productions- the metal reissue sub-label of the long-running independent label Cherry Red. The three discs come presented in an eight-panel fold-out digipak- this features a monochrome photo college sprayed with green paint. The set is presented with a glossy twelve-page inlay booklet- with seven and a half-page write-up about the band/ albums, and a sprinkling of photos, flyer artwork, etc.

Wrath were formed in 1982 in Waukegan- a city near Chicago. The first lineup took in Gary Modica – Bass, Chris Wisco – Guitars, John Duffy – Vocals, Rick Rios – Drums.  The band's output total output consists of three demos, five studio albums, and one EP. The band still exists/ tours today- but the only original member is Gary Modica.

 

The first CD takes in the band’s 1986 Fit Of Anger debut album (plus a bonus demo track)- this was first released on Illinois label King Klassic Records.  The album is an urgent, bounding and well-played mix of Thrash, Speed and Power metal.  We kick off with the chugging meets galloping metallics of “In The Work” which sounds like a less scuzzy and more precise version of Megadeth.  There is the cymbal crashing, shifting paced, and tech NWOBHM stylings of the instrumental track “Bones”.  We have the early Metallica meets Megadeth speeding techniques of “Fanatics”. Or bounding Thrash riffing meets Maiden chugging of “Vigilante Killer”. All in all, a nice punchy, at points technically proficient debut- which certainly wears its influences on its sleeves, but is also trying to carve out its own ground.

Moving onto disc number two, we have the band's second album Nothing To Fear- which was originally released on Medusa Records in 1987. Clearly, the progressive/ technical elements of the band are coming to the fore- with a more Thrash/ Speed metal focus.  We go from “Mutants” which manages to harness both choppy precise speed and more moodily harmonic touches. Onto “Painless” with its steady cascading chug, seesawing guitar dynamics, and baying to higher registered vocals. Through to “Incineration/Caustic Sleep” which moves from clean/ layered guitar complexity, onto meaty gallop meets steam drum grooving, though to speeding gunning’s- with moments of epic ‘n’ wailing guitar soloing. There's the chugging bound Vs almost jigging ‘n’ jiving riff craft of “When Worlds Collide”.  Nothing To Fear is a great second album- which saw Wrath coming into their own- to deliver something fairly distinctive.

Finally, on disc number three, we have 1990’s Insane Society- which one more first appeared on Medusa Records. This is a nine-track affair- which sees the band tightening and sharpening up their prog/ tech tendencies- as well as bringing a keen sense of intensity to more than a few tracks. We move from the clamouring Thrash speed of “Panic Control” which sounds like a more focused/raged-up take on Testament. There’s the rapidly choppy ‘n’ bass slamming riffing weaving of the instrumental track “War Of Nerves”- which features some great taut 'n' urgent solo guitar lines. There’s the manic galloping meets baying guitar tones of “Law Of Lies” which feels like more rowed-up Sabbat.  With the album playing out the head-banging/ chug fest of “Closed Doors” which has some nicely tense yet atmospheric guitar edges to it- before playing out with some ornate/ clean guitar craft. As an album Insane Society very much fits its title- full of tension and fearful tautness Sadly, this was the band's last full-length studio album until 2014, and the release of Stark Raving Mad.

 

I lived through the Thrash years of the 80s and 90s- but do not recall Wrath, so it’s great to now be able to catch up with their back catalogue. If you enjoy urgent/ at points fairly intense prog Thrash/ speed metal- this is something you should be checking out!.