Limited to 350 black vinyl, 150 blue vinyl. Comes with a lyrics insert.
Tracks 1-4 from "Dead by Dawn" Demo 1988
Tracks 5-9 from "Perfect Peace" Demo 1990
Tracks 10-11 from "Scarred for Life" Demo 1988
For fans of classic thrash metal and the deep dive into forgotten treasures of the genre, 20 Years Of NY Thrash is a release worth exploring. This compilation from Stormspell Records showcases the entirety of Cold Steel’s recorded output from the late '80s to early '90s, combining tracks from their 1988 demos Dead By Dawn and Scarred For Life with selections from 1990’s Perfect Peace. While Cold Steel may not have reached the heights of their peers in the scene, this collection is a testament to their passion and their knack for capturing the energy of the era.
From the outset, Cold Steel wears their influences proudly, delivering a blend of thrash staples that channel the spirit of early Metallica, Anthrax, and Flotsam & Jetsam. Vocalist Troy Norr leads the charge with a dynamic performance that alternates between soaring, Belladonna-style cleans and gritty Hetfield-esque snarls, giving the material a classic yet engaging duality. Tracks like “Crackdown” and “Dead By Dawn” exemplify the band’s strengths, with punchy riffs, driving rhythms, and infectious gang chants that could easily fire up a pit in any old-school thrash venue.
The compilation's charm lies in its raw, unpolished energy. As demos, the production is understandably lo-fi, but this only adds to its nostalgic authenticity. There's an undeniable appeal in hearing a band channel the pure enthusiasm of their influences, even if their sound doesn’t entirely escape the shadow of those influences. Tracks like “Hazardous” succeed on sheer adrenaline, blending tight grooves with a New York hardcore edge that evokes the crossover brilliance of Spreading the Disease and Among the Living.
While there are occasional missteps—“Smashed” veers into funk-inflected territory that feels out of place—these moments are rare and serve as a reminder of the experimentation that often defined thrash's underground acts.
For thrash purists and collectors, 20 Years Of NY Thrash is a valuable slice of history, capturing the sound of a band whose moment may have been fleeting but whose dedication to the scene is undeniable. It's not groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Cold Steel delivers a heartfelt homage to the genre, and for those seeking to relive the glory days or uncover a hidden gem, this compilation offers an enjoyable trip back in time.
Unique? Perhaps not. Fun? Absolutely. 20 Years Of NY Thrash is a loving nod to a bygone era and a reminder of why thrash continues to resonate decades later.
