Review: “When Darkness Falls” by Game Over

Produced, mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio (Wind Rose, Twilight Force, Michael Romeo) and adorned by artwork from Mario López (Skeletal Remains, Toxik, Vulture) a seventh studio album from Italian Thrash veterans Game Over has landed in “When Darkness Falls“. The new material is their first as a quartet following the departure of long time guitarist Alessandro “Sanso” Sansone and their second with both vocalist Danny Schiavina (Demolition Saint, Sofisticator) and bassist Leonardo ʻLeoʼ Molinari (Vlterior, Plagued Birth) following last years “Face The End“. All of that of course means that guitarist Luca ʻZeeroʼ Zironi (Fate, Rough Touch) is the last man standing from the original line up with drummer Anthony ʻVenderʼ Dantone (Violence Spread, National Suicide) joining in 2012. One glance at the track list will tell you that themes from  horror movies and social issues remain but will it still be Thrash or be Thrashed?

A spellbinding instrumental introduction piece that sounds like it belongs to the opening sequence of a horror movie gets the party started in “Hollow And Cold“, the band avoiding programming or keys. That segues nicely into the rampaging Thrash riffs of “Two Souls One Flesh” with Schiavina’s commanding clean vocals on this one reminiscent of the John Bush era Anthrax. The musings on a split personality are interesting and given sharp focus by a sweeping solo and gang chants, all of which give the track instant appeal and there is absolutely nothing to identify the band as Italian in the vocals. Maintaining the high energy levels “Break Away” flies out of the traps like a motorcross bike on a dirt track start line, Schiavina encouraging people to think for themselves and not simply follow like sheep. A gravelly spoken word is a nice touch and as ever the riffs are electrifying.

Building on the foundations of the previous cut “Fight For Your Mind” is another that may find you in the juxtaposition between wanting to shout along with the gang chants with a fist in the air and racing to the mosh pit because its as infectious as an STD. This time the riffs capture that early 1982 Bay Area Thrash sound that Metallica and Megadeth but benefit from modern production values. By way of contrast there is more of a Crossover Thrash vibe in “Scream It Out” with the gang chants and bass line having more of a Hardcore attitude about them. Breakneck speed riffs fly in all directions between anthemic choruses as the band deliver another masterclass, their musicianship nothing short of impeccable.

“What Fate Brings” serves as an introduction to “Curse Of Strahd“, an eerie spoken word with keys as Count Strahd von Zarovich, a powerful and ancient vampire and necromancer from the Ravenloft saga of Dungeons and Dragons says his piece. That sets the tone for the mid tempo riffs of the track itself which has bit of a Traditional Heavy Metal leaning while remaining heavy and atmospheric with plenty of stomp. The final third is what makes the track as the guitars shift into a Pantera inspired groove before a face melting solo that is sheer class.

After that demonstration of mid album might “Beneath The Ground” continues in the same vein with classic Groove Thrash riffs that you just want to snap your neck to, not to mention another pair of ripping old school style solos. A call from the beyond the grave serves as a reminder that you can’t escape the sins of the past and the eerie VHS horror movie ending is everything you’d hope for and expect from the likes of Wednesday 13. “Self Denied” returns to the all out Thrash attack with more razor sharp riffs as the band continue to demonstrate their prowess, the quality of their output and understanding of the genre second to none. If this record was presented as one from the so called big four, it would be hailed as a masterful return to form. An tasteful acoustic introduction to “Command To Die” gives a moment to reflect while setting the scene for a grand finale before the drums begin to pound and when the shift to the bands trademark sound happens, the transition is perfectly executed. There is a little bit of a diction issue in a couple of places on this one but its so minor that its barely noticeable and when you’ve got a Hardcore Punk style bass solo and massive pick slide to enjoy, frankly, who cares? [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Hollow And Cold
2. Two Souls One Flesh
3. Break Away
4. Fight For Your Mind
5. Scream It Out
6. What Fate Brings
7. Curse Of Strahd
8. Beneath The Ground
9. Self Denied
10. Command To Die

“When Darkness Falls” by Game Over is out 18th September 2026 via Scarlet Records