The double punch Viking landed during their initial four-year career was remarkable, and while the Californians' first full-length "Do Or Die" (1988) still ranks among the strongest thrash debuts that fell under the mainstream's radar for its brutality and scathingly harsh production, its successor is where the group really began to shine. Originally released in 1989, "Man Of Straw" showed a band that had matured while honing their chops on tour with heavyweights such as Sacred Reich or Forbidden. While old school thrash was on the wane, Viking successfully managed to incorporate slower parts and a degree of technicality without dulling any of the sharp edges they'd become known for in underground circles. For High Roller Records' 2020 limited LP-only edition in heavy cardboard sleeve with insert and poster), "Man Of Straw" was faithfully mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony and cut by SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality. Tracklist: 01 White Death 02 They Raped the Land 03 Twilight Fate 04 The Trial 05 Case of the Stubborn 06 Winter 07 Hell is for Children 08 Creative Divorce 09 Man of Straw
