Morphosys - A Face of Leather (2011)

   Morphosys was formed in the early '00s as a thrash/death metal band and debuted in 2006 with an EP titled as "Der Blutmond". The band's early period was pretty diverse by their music's current raw form, since their sound wasn't completely unified yet, and the various influences of the band members could have been intensely sensed. And on the side of thrash and old school death metal this also meant melodic death and black metal influences. 
   "A Face of Leather" was their second full-length album, on which an already experienced band could be heard with unified style and sound. This more homogenous form was advantageous at one hand, but also made their music more monotonous. Strict thrash tempo and song structures are dominant, and according to the main metal scene of the early '00s and '10s, this strictly traditional approach could have been refreshing to hear. The concept was mainly horror and gore inspired, and therefore chainsaw became a frequently returning symbol at the band. (And maybe not only because of their horror addiction, since the band is from Bavaria, a quite rural Bundesland, where work around the house including firewood cutting also could have been inspiring.) But at the other hand, keeping their previous more diverse style could have been a better idea, since the band seemed to be on the level in other styles as well. The remains of melodic death and blackened influences are still could be found on the album for a few songs (the song "Verzweiflung" is pretty much a blackened melodic death song for instance), and their greatness approves that diversity could have worked pretty well. In total Morphosys' music recalls the feeling of the late '80s and early '90s embedded into the sound of the modern era, and for thrash metal fans they could be a potential favorite.