Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Groundbreaking, November 26, 2004
This is the first of two albums released by Portland, Oregon's terribly under-appreciated Wehrmacht. While not as well produced as the follow-up, Shark Attack is more consistantly fast and the guitar work is more technical. Think early Megadeth with ultra-fast drumming and Kreator solos.
Wehrmacht was arguably the first band to be coined speed-core for this extremely fast metallic hardcore. Though their speedy crossover sound, technical guitar work, and campy lyrics were predated by the likes of S.O.D., Wehrmacht is definitely deserving of the speed-core badge. Napalm Death and other grindcore heavyweights consider them major influences.
The vocalist and guitarist went on to front the funky progressive grind band Spazztic Blurr. Drummer Brian Lehfeldt joined Cryptic Slaughter then the much more tame Sweaty Nipples.
This 2000 rerelease of the 1986 classic has been recorded from vinyl, so there is a slight hiss heard through the album and occasional popping. Still, it's far better than the old cassette! If Amazon doesn't have it in stock, check New Renaissance's website.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Six hundred and sixty six freakin' thumbs up, February 8, 2002
This LP was originally released in 1987 and is quite possibly the greatest thrash/speed record ever recorded. Though often mischaracterized as grindcore pioneers, Wehrmacht belts out 12 classic thrash tunes to the speed and intensity of a Terrorizer or Repulsion rhythm section. Labeled (appropriately stickered on the original LP, in fact) by New Renaissance to be "the fastest heavy metal band today," "Shark Attack" is actually not all that fast in the period's context. It is definitely no faster than Terrorizer or Napalm Death, possibly equivalent to the speed of Repulsion's old demos. The difference, though, is that this is not a grind record, it is pure thrash. (Think Megadeth's "Killing is my Business..." with the drums on 78 RPM!) The editorial review here also cites them as successfully mixing punk and metal, another common notion that is seen more clearly in hardcore/thrash crossover bands like Cryptic Slaughter, DRI, Siege and Septic Death. On "Shark Attack," Wehrmacht is definitely more metal than anything else. They did end up partnering up with Cryptic Slaughter, (who drummer Brian Lehfeldt joined for the Speak Your Peace record) and that may be where the confusion comes from, but if you can't hear the difference between a band playing really fast punk riffs and really fast metal riffs, you shouldn't even bother with this record. The second album, "Biermacht," is more highly produced and shows a little more hardcore influence on it, but the line is still fine.
Wehrmacht is definitely comparable to Cryptic Slaughter, Siege or a really fast Megadeth, but I personally think they surpass them all. The production on this record is similar to all of those bands, too; reverbed drums, heavily distorted guitars and basses, high-pitched, reverbed screams. The sound actually reminds me a lot of "Killing Is My Business..." but cleaner and more distinct, maybe what Megadeth had in mind when they produced the debackle. I don't know what else to tell you but buy this record, you'll love it. I won't mention what drummer Brian Lehfeldt is doing now because it's shameful--but if you're curious, look up the members of the band Everclear.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Wehrmacht, June 8, 2009
This Album is a true Crossover Classic
any fan of Thrash and Crossover should own this album
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![Biermacht [Collector's Numbered Edition]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5108658G4YL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
by Wehrmacht 
![Biermacht [Collector's Numbered Edition]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5108658G4YL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
