Hellmaze: Danish Thrash Veterans Bring Old-School Energy to 2026
Photo by Stenklopp Photography
Denmark's Hellmaze drops debut full-length "Dead Flesh Rising" on January 30th via Cornhole Records
If you've been craving that raw, unfiltered thrash energy that made the Bay Area scene legendary back in the '80s, Denmark's Hellmaze might be exactly what you need. After six years of tearing up stages across Denmark, Germany, and Poland, this four-piece is finally unleashing their debut full-length album, Dead Flesh Rising, and it's a love letter to everything that made us fall in love with thrash metal in the first place.
What sets Hellmaze apart is the experience behind the music. These aren't kids trying to recreate a sound they've only heard on Spotify—these are veterans with 30 years in the Danish metal scene who know exactly what they're doing. The result is thrash that feels authentic, not derivative. It's fast, aggressive, melodic, and most importantly, fun as hell.
The Album: A Thrashing Good Time
Dead Flesh Rising clocks in at a tight 32 minutes across eight tracks, recorded and mastered at Angioni Studios. The album doesn't waste time with intros or filler—it's pure, concentrated thrash from start to finish. Opener "Flesh" kicks things off with blistering double bass work and rhythmic shifts that keep you on your toes. "K.F.T." (which stands for exactly what you think it does) is a headbanger's anthem with groovy thrash riffs and the kind of attitude that made us all want to grow our hair long and wear leather vests in the first place.
The title track "Hell And a Maze" showcases the band's melodic side without sacrificing aggression. There's a genuine groove here that'll get stuck in your head—the kind of riff that makes you air-guitar in your car when you think no one's watching. Meanwhile, "Killing Time" takes a slightly more progressive vocal approach that adds depth to the album's sonic palette, and "Rising Up" delivers sustained vigor with a killer bass breakdown that hits just right.
For pure mosh pit energy, "Moshpit Bukkake" (yes, really) lives up to its name with consistent momentum and traditional thrash structure. And if you need proof that Hellmaze can do more than just play fast, "King of Suffering" opens with guitar tapping that'll trigger some serious early-'80s nostalgia before diving into heavier, more varied territory.
The Sound: Thrash with Character
Vocalist and guitarist Rafal "Stoffer" Malewski's voice is a standout feature. When he's not doing death metal growls, his singing/yelling style has real girth and strength—a tone that's perfect for thrash metal. It's not clean singing, but it's got character and power that recalls the greats without being a carbon copy. I dig it.
The guitar work from Malewski and Michal Gajos doesn't try to be flashy for the sake of it. There are no unnecessary shredding showcases—just solid, purposeful playing that serves the songs. The rhythm section of bassist Simon Lindberg Nyholm and drummer Tobias "TT" Larsen keeps everything tight, with Larsen's drumming deserving special mention for his skillful use of rhythm changes and double bass work throughout the album.
Lyrics: From Serious to Sarcastic
Lyrically, Hellmaze covers a range of territory. "Slave" and "King of Suffering" take aim at organized religion with the kind of anti-establishment attitude that's been part of metal's DNA since the beginning. "Flesh" delves into dark, provocative territory exploring cannibalism and hypocrisy. "Rising Up" channels anger and resistance into a call to action.
Then there's "Hell And a Maze" itself, a darkly humorous take on toxic relationships using black widow and succubus imagery. The band clearly doesn't take themselves too seriously all the time, which keeps the album from becoming preachy or one-dimensional.
The Verdict: For the Old School Faithful
If you grew up in the thrash scene and have been wondering whether modern bands can capture that same rebelliously fun spirit, Hellmaze proves it's still possible. This isn't a nostalgia act trying to coast on retro appeal—it's a band of seasoned musicians who lived through the original thrash explosion and still have the chops and passion to deliver the goods.
The album artwork—featuring rotting corpses rising from a cornfield in classic horror-metal style—perfectly captures the aesthetic. It's the kind of cover that would've looked right at home in the tape trading days, and it signals exactly what you're getting: no-frills, high-energy thrash metal.
Dead Flesh Rising drops January 30th on vinyl, CD, and digital via Cornhole Records. For those of us who remember when thrash was underground and dangerous, Hellmaze offers a chance to feel young again—even if we're listening between carpools and work meetings these days.
Hellmaze is:
Rafal "Stoffer" Malewski – Vocals, Guitar
Michal Gajos – Guitar
Simon Lindberg Nyholm – Bass
Tobias "TT" Larsen – Drums
Check out their music video for "Hell And a Maze" on YouTube, and catch them live if you're in Denmark this fall and winter.
