Hot on the heels, and pretty much in the same vein of the 'Speed Kills' volumes, this more obscure compilation was typical of the mid '80s, and what a great time it was for young metallers to pick up such albums, great introductions to various bands. Of course, these kind of albums endorsed the already mighty acts such as Celtic Frost, Voivod, Slayer and Destruction, but there were always a few other bands who were slotted alongside the titans, in the case of this record the likes of Omen and Bloodlust, although rather tragically such lesser known acts failed miserably against the competition. Although 'Speed Metal' is wrapped in a dodgy sleeve, and doesn't really tell us much about the burgeoning thrash scene at the time, such records used to bring excitement and had a real atmospheric feel. The 'Metal Massacre' and 'Speed Kills' records were real dingy affairs that brought together the most hideous and cutting of European bands alongside the more brash and speedy Americans, and such albums were always welcome even if some of the bands that were discovered never lived up their inclusion.
5/10
