Bolt Thrower – In Battle There is No Law!

In Battle There Is No Law! is the raw, bloody, heavy and crusty debut album by UK death metal band Bolt Thrower. Consisting of nine tracks and clocking in at just around twenty-eight minutes, the album is arguably Bolt Thrower’s rawest and most primal effort.

This classic and cult album was originally released in 1988, but now finally available again in it’s original layout. Thus, Darkness Shall Rise recently re-released In Battle There Is No Law! and made it available as LP in three colors, jewel-case-CD and MC. I’ve been listening to the jewel-case CD (incl. 12-page booklet) in the last couple of days and it reminded me of why this nine-tracker album is one of the best albums in a discography of one of death metal’s most important bands.

Tracklist:

01. In Battle there is no Law
02. Challenge for Power
03. Forgotten Existence
04. Denial of Destiny
05. Blind to Defeat
06. Concession of Pain
07. Attack in the Aftermath
08. Psychological Warfare
09. Nuclear Annihilation

‘Destruction, killing, is all that’s in sight’ as the unholy quintet from the city of Coventry blends elements of a crust punk, thrash and early death metal. The album features a raw (less polished than their later work) production, often considered a ‘proto-death metal’ with a crusty sound. Songs roughly clock in between 2 and 3:30 minutes and incorporate everything from slowly advancing doomish chugging to galopping triplet runs. In other words; it features numerous intense and frantic riffing, chaotic solos, raspy and high-picthed vocals (compared to later, more guttural vocals), and overall chaotic, double-bass heavy drumming. The songwriting leans towards all-out attack, lyrically dealing with war in its different dark aspects. The cover art for In Battle There Is No Law! depicts a different logo than the rest of their discography. This one is more ‘punkish’ (favoring raw, gritty and provocative visuals over polished commercial design) – further setting Bolt Thrower’s first album apart, turning it into a unique full length opus.

There is plenty to like here, where all songs on In Battle There Is No Law! are straightforward and to the point, but if I’m to pick two standout tracks then it would be; “Challenge for Power” mainly due to the vicious and maniacally aggressive drumming, and the following “Forgotten Existence” being a fast-paced, relentless track – featuring chugging, palm-muted riffs that transition into chaotic, Slayer-influenced, and slightly melodic solos.

In Battle There Is No Law! Did not only helped the band establishing their signature war-themed, grinding style, but it also got very influential album for many death metal acts that followed the initial pioneers. Despite being considered weaker than later masterpieces like Realm of Chaos, it is still regarded as a foundational/fundamental album that showcases the band’s initial chaotic energy.

If you are not familiar with a name Bolt Thrower, this is absolutely the best jumping off point for the band’s discography. Thus, In Battle There Is No Law! is an essential listen for fans of early/raw death metal and bands like early Slayer, Death, Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Carcass, Necrophagia etc.

For further info on this excellent and authentic re-issue of this pivotal debut record from UK death metal pioneers visit their bandcamp or Darkness Shall Rise where you can place your order on either Vinyl, MC or a CD.