THRESHER - HERE I AM / 2009 / DISCOGRAPHY / BIOGRAPHY / REIVEW

THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(8-TRACKS)
1-SANCTUARY
2-FAITH AWAKEN
3-AMAZING GRACE
4-HERE I AM
5-ALTAR OF SACRIFICE
6-DEATH TO ASHERAH
7-RAPTOR
8-ONE WAY OUT
THRESHER - TOTALLY POSSESSED / 1989















THAT CONTAIN(6-TRACKS)
1-TOTALLY POSSESSED
2-FINAL FRONTIER
3-FACE THE RACE
4-CRANIAL TREMOR
5-NO MORE LIES
6-APOCALIPSE PREPARE
THEIR SECOND DEMO-1986(6-TRACKS)
1-LAZARUS COME FORTH
2-BREAKING INTO THE NIGHT
3-WE ROCK
4-HOLY IS YOUR NAME
5-THE BATTLE IS RAGING
6-LIGHTS OUT
CREDITS:
J.Mark Buchanan - Vocals/Lead & Rythm Guitar
David Kurtz - Bass/Keys
Jeff Newman - Original Drummer
Rod Braun- - Lead & Rythm Guitar
Greg Yarbourough - Drummer
Last known line-up
Jeff Newman - Drums
Dave Kurtz - Bass & Keys
Mark Buchanan - Vocals & all Guitars










BIOGRAPHY/REVIEW:
Fans of old school style thrash/power metal raise your fists and yell with excitement as Roxx Productions has released a lost musical gem. From the blue collar land of coal and steel (i.e. Pennsylvania) comes Thresher. “Here I Am” is their previously unreleased 8 song self financed album. This was to be a follow up of the bands first 6 song demo ‘Totally Possessed’, but due to life issues this album was never released. That is until now!A sound akin to early Megadeth, Metallica and at times Metal Church. Thresher hits like a freight train going past the point of no return. With upfront heavy duty guitar sounds and a solid backbone of Brutal Drum and Bass. These guys play quite convincingly and passionately. The opener ‘Sanctuary’ starts with a classical guitar prelude before the power chords start flying and the hair starts swayin’. John Mark Buchanan brings a Vocal prowess that often reminds me of James Hetfield or sometimes Dave Mustaine. When the song hits it's apex you just want to push repeat. Parts of "Faith Awaken" or ‘Amazin Grace’ are reminiscent of early Megadeth with different riffs and time change elements. While ‘Here I Am’ opens up with a very familiar sound akin to Metallica’s ‘Fade to Black’. None of these are rip offs but elements incorporated into Threshers own sound which only enhance the songs themselves and show homage to those who came before. The payoff part in ‘Here I Am’ is when John repeats ‘Here I am! Here I am oh God send Me!’ a great melody that is enhanced by the power of the music underneath it.Wait until you hear "Altar of Sacrifice" a solid piece of metallic brutality that continues this discs ascent into excellence. Bring the hammer down and listen to the technical breakdown in the middle, I can see the pit swirling and the sweat flying! That just brings us to the final songs "Death to Asherah", and "One Way Out". The surge of power continues through all of those tunes. “Asherah” in particular reminds me of something that could’ve been included on say ‘Kill em all’, lots of riff and time components ‘DEATH TO ASHERAH!’…..I myself could’ve done without the tune "Raptor"…. An attempt at metal/rap or whatever you want to call it, however once you get past the initial ‘rap’ section the band launches full speed into some very tasty riffage and lead work.The production is above average for an independent release back in 92. The instruments are evenly distributed through the mix and the quality is there. The only question I have is, am I the only one who happened to notice perhaps more high end above 4k in this release. I don’t know if that would be a mastering issue or perhaps just how the original tapes were recorded. Anyway by simply adjust the treble control slightly that negative element is eliminated.I also understand the early copies that Roxx Productions released had the first Demo as well. My copy didn’t come with that so I’m sure all you lucky ones who pre-ordered are chuckling in your sleep. If you love thrash DON’T miss this release, you’ll be kicking your self if you do.











They also released a demo back when they were called Lazarus, entitled 'Breaking Into The Night' Other than the 1989 Totally Possessed album, the Thresher also released an excellent original on R.E.X.'s "Demolition" Compilation, and a track on the "Underground Metal II" compilation on Regency Records.Stumbled into the Christian Rock seen in a band called Lazarus back in 1983(I think, so long ago I can't remember) We did some regional stuff and recorded a cassette demo called "Breaking into the Night". This opened alot of doors for me and my writing began to flow in a direction of outreach to the metal crowd. After Lazarus, I went into hiding for several years and was writing alot. Having a number of tunes and wanting to record them I hooked up with my good friend, Dave Kurtz of Lifeline. I met Dave thru Jeff Newman, my good friend who Drummed for Lazarus. Dave had an 8 track studio in his basement and we struck up a deal to record what later would become the "Totally Possessed" demo. I traded Dave an old marshall combo amp with camo speaker cover for recording time, a pretty good trade on my end, I think Dave just wanted to hang out and he knew I was a great cook. Well in the process of that we felt something stirring from the Lord and began to pursue a band which became Thresher. We talked Jeff into stretching into a whole new style, which actually it was a new style for all of us. We had never played speed metal and Jeff was into the Talking Heads, the Who, Rush, and alot of other classic rock groups. Dave was trained classically on trumpet and piano and I think his favorite group was Meatloaf, ha, ha.(just kidding) I think this was in 1985-86, and we performed and did some recording until the fall of 1991. Our passion became to play a style that took some work(we were old guys even back then) and to incorporate a strong gospel message lyrically. Much of the secular thrash of the day was pretty dark and much of the christian metal seemed superficial in message content. We had recorded a full length cd project before the dismantling came but we never got that out there. So in talking with Dave recently, we felt this stuff is still very current and should be out there. We are not sure what "out there" means at this point, but for a start I thought I would give it some motion on myspace and see what comes of it. We would love to hear from you if you have any old Thresher stories or if you are interested in getting your hands on some Thresher music. Drop us an email soon. Mark Buchanan Thresher will not except a friendship request from another myspace member which displays sugestive materials, either they're site or that of thier friends. This is not a judgement against anyone but stated out of regard for the Holy Spirit(http://www.holymetalrob.com/ )