By 1987, Tankard had already built a reputation for beer-soaked Thrash mayhem, but "Chemical Invasion" proved they were more than a punchline. This sophomore slugfest upped the intensity, blending breakneck riffs, blistering drumming, and vocals that walked the line between chaos and anthemic brilliance. Tracks like "Total Addiction" and "Don't Panic" are classic teutonic rippers, while the eight-minute epic "Traitor" showed Tankard could hang with Germany's Thrash Metal elite. Like the mad scientist depicted on the album artwork, Tankard threw everything into their heady brew of intense drumming, barely controlled riffs and histrionic vocals. Seemingly just one more drink away from careening out of control entirely, Tankard's hellish fury occasionally calmed with the open acoustic guitar strum of "For a Thousand Beers" providing ample proof that these guys could play... and they could play well! Chemical Invasion remains a cornerstone of party Thrash, an album best experienced with a spinning room and a cold one in hand. Pure mayhem, pure Tankard!
