When thrash bands started speeding up heavy metal in the early 1980s, it was principally American acts (notably Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth) that popularized this reckless assault on a previously most Anglo of genres. Visionary black metallers Venom aside, one of Britain’s few retaliatory volleys was Bristol’s Onslaught, which formed in ’83 and spewed a thrash classic with The Force three years later. Although only vocalist Sy Keeler and guitarist Nige Rockett remain from the band’s heyday, this comeback quintet, reformed in the mid-aughts, has managed three surprisingly adrenalized albums characterized by ominous, crunchy guitars, frantic beats and Keeler’s husky, hardcore-ish proclamations. For their “North American Thrash Invasion” tour, which concludes at the Whisky, Onslaught has had to temporarily recruit original Anthrax singer Neil Turbin to replace Keeler, who is attending to his son’s health problems.

Wed., Nov. 26, 6 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 11/26/14)

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