The thrash metal machine known as Occult has had its share of frustrating encounters with the music business in its 13 years of existence. Releases were plagues with weak production (“Prepare To Meet Thy Doom”), bad distribution (“The Enemy Within”), an unsupportive label (“Of Flesh And Blood”) and finally virtually no promotion and distribution (“Rage To Revenge”). Now the tables have turned and after recording “Elegy For The Weak” well over a year ago, it finally has been released upon the masses. Originally, the album would have been released by Belgian label Painkiller Records, just like “Rage To Revenge” but somehow the deal went cold and Occult signed to Karmageddon Media. This time promotion and distribution are well taken care of with advertisements in all relevant magazines, numerous promo-copies sent out to zines, and the album will be released worldwide, with the exception of the America’s. Occult deserves this attention because once again they released an album full of raging thrash metal

The album starts with the track “Disturbing The Dead” and this title is aptly chosen because we’re thrown in to the thrash metal pit without a moment to catch our breath. The track begins furiously and stays that way almost to the end.

This track is the perfect opener as it displays everything Occult stands for. Fast thrash metal with the occasional mid tempo part but most of all, sheer aggression. Producer Andy Classen did a damn fine job on this one as everything sounds really good, clear and powerful, just what this music needs.

Listening to “Elegy For The Weak” the first name that comes to mind to compare Occult with is Slayer. Tracks like “Feel The Blade” and “Obsessed By The Grave” have those pumping riffs that are Slayer’s trademark. Luckily Occult have their own style so it doesn’t matter they show their influences a bit.
Personally I have some doubts about Maurice’s singing, I think he’s a great vocalist with a unique style but some of his experiments in the track “Warbeast” sound weak and forced to my ears. On the other tracks though, his voice is as good as ever so maybe these are some fuckups due to time constraints but it ruins the track a bit for me.

Other than that, I cannot find any real points of criticism; this is just a very strong album that any old school (Slayer, Exodus) and new school (The Haunted) should buy.
Thrash…or be thrashed!!!