“Golem” was the first full-length release by Protector, a savage masterpiece from one of the most underrated but nevertheless most important and influential thrash/death outfits from the 80s. Among the wave of Germanic thrash flooding the scene back then, Protector have always stood out due to their exceptional songwriting-skills including daring tempo changes and top-of-the-line musicianship. Full to the brim with high speed killer riffs and leaning heavily towards early death, “Golem” is easily on par with other German thrash metal milestones such as “Pleasure to Kill” or “Infernal Overkill”. Although Protector’s fame may not entirely match that of compatriots like Kreator, Sodom or Destruction, they were most important for the early death/thrash scene, taking things to another level: Protector were more brutal, heavier and more extreme than the above mentioned bands – a bit ahead of their time maybe? Reactions in the media were overall positive but nevertheless pointing out, that this stuff was “only for the hardboiled!” The re-release of “Golem” comes without any alterations and no extra frills – just pure death/thrash that was ahead of its time in 1988 and will still you blow you away in 2023!