Protector started back in 1986 in Germany and released some solid underground thrash metal albums in line with the German scene of the 80s. Very aggressive and raw thrash metal as we know it from bigger bands like Sodom, Destruction, and Kreator, in other words. But then Protector’s history starts to become confusing. Very confusing! Martin Missy was the band’s vocalist in the 80s, and in 1989 the band more or less fell apart, with all members quitting, including Missy. Drummer Michael Hasse took over the band and enlisted Olly Wiebel, who took over vocals, bass, and guitar. This duo only managed to release one album with Protector before Hasse himself left the band, and a new drummer named Marco Pape joined.
The new lineup only managed to release one album in 1993, but Pape kept the band going until 2003 with various members before the band finally called it quits for good. A few years later, the band’s former vocalist Martin Misty reappeared in Sweden with a cover band of Protector called Martin Missy And The Protectors. In 2011, Missy decided to reclaim the name Protector, and they released the demo “The Return of Thrash and Madness”. Now, over ten years later, the band is releasing their fourth album under this Swedish collaboration. It’s been working out fine. The sound of what Protector is doing today is tough, and I think it swings well. It’s hard and brutal, and the riffs come one after the other. The standout tracks may be missing, but “Excessive Outburst of Depravity” is a consistent album that sits well and has a great production. Fans of Protector might enjoy this album very much. But don’t worry. This album is not so good that Protector will be the next big thing. Protector will remain an underground band.
Released July 1st, 2022 on High Roller Records.
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