Review ERADICATOR “Alive in the Dead Eye of the Vortex”

North Rhine-Westphalia is known as an area of Germany with a solid metal scene, which has been established since the 1980s. Bands such as Kreator and Sodom have their roots in the Ruhrgebiet, while another band hails from the wider Rhine-Ruhr area. Lennestadt is home to a thrash band founded in 2004.

The band is called Eradicator and launched with the debut album “The Atomic Blast” in 2009. Since then, they have released several more albums, and “Alive in the Dead Eye of the Vortex” is their first live album. Recorded in November 2024 at the Vortex Surfer Musikclub in Siegen, this live release features eleven songs, including four from the most recent studio album, “The Paradox” There is, for example, a pounding version of “Beyond the Shadows Void” and the title track, a blasting thrash metal song made for solid headbanging.

The setlist covers Eradicator’s different studio releases, starting with an “Imperial March” sequence which serves as a short intro to the show, which kicks off with “Possessed by the Devil” from the band’s debut album.

“Alive in the Dead Eye of the Vortex” is Eradicator’s first live album, featuring raging thrash metal. These eleven songs capture the true underground spirit of Eradicator. It’s a raw piece of music, and the only downside is that it’s almost impossible to tell that it’s a live recording. The fan reactions are barely audible, and without the short announcements, the live feel would almost totally disappear. Other than that, it’s a good song with good underground vibes.