2001 was the last time British warlords Bolt Thrower unleashed a sonic fireball in the form of one of their finest all-around releases Honour Valour Pride. After a four year hiatus the group are re-energized for another pummelling assault led by former long-time frontman Karl Willetts and together laid down nine tracks of ground shaking savagery in the form of Those Once Loyal.

I was a little sceptical about the return of Karl to the fold, having basically been inactive in the time he’d parted ways with Bolt Thrower, but after hearing a demo recording of "K-Machine" from Honour Valour Pride with Karl at the helm on the Bolt Thrower website my fears were quickly laid to rest and my fanboy geekdom was reborn.

Anyone who is a fan of Bolt Thrower’s past material won’t be disappointed with the new 40 minute effort. The groove-laden assault we’ve all come to know and love is still present, as is the repackaging of classic riffs in new songs that sound very familiar yet at the same time new and fresh.

For those newbies out there unfamiliar with Bolt Thrower imagine what early Six Feet Under would sound like if they sang about war, played catchy crushing riffs and didn’t suck… so exactly like Six Feet Under only completely different (ie. good). The music is slow-mid paced old school crushing death metal with emphasis put on catchiness and groovability. Once you put in a Bolt Thrower album you can’t help but nod your head in unison with each riff and drum beat while barking along with the vocals.

I picked up this album in December and in the 3 weeks I’ve owned it I’ve listened to the album in it’s entirety at least 40 times. Granted, there are people out there who never liked Bolt Thrower and though they may be sissies who kiss boys and play grabass at their local YMCA, chances are they’ll continue not liking Bolt Thrower after hearing Those Once Loyal. All of the diehards, like myself, will be breaking out their camo, bullet belts and Rambo headbands and thrashing the fuck out when they hear the new effort.

Is this the best album Bolt Thrower have ever released? No… but it’s still a damn fine addition to your Bolt Thrower collection! If you dream of driving tanks and crushing your enemies, Bolt Thrower is the band for you, but if your dream is huddling in a foxhole with your mates playing hide the pickle, you’re better off avoiding Those Once Loyal.

Review byTeufel