Here is a thrash metal band from Japan that totally worships Slayer circa Hell Awaits, but there are plenty of other classic thrash bands you can hear in their music. Moments of Anthrax, Vio-Lence, Dark Angel, and even Destruction pop up through and through in their songs. However, there is one major setback to this band - the vocals of Montgomery.
Unfortunately Montgomery's weak, almost Geddy Lee style whiny voice doesn't fit the otherwise kick-ass thrash onslaught on the album. The guitar work is frantic. You probably haven't heard anyone rip it up so mercilessly on the guitar since the late 80's. Awesome twin harmonies transform into razor riffs or sick solos that are simply unbelievable. The riffs on the title track are mammoth with superb drumming. The lead solo on "Thirst for Blood" is out of this world and would leave even the biggest Slayer fans' jaws open. "Axiom" isn't any different. Killer guitars, rolling drums, full-on bass... but terribly weak vocals. The singer tries too hard to sound aggressive but the more he tries the worse it gets. His throaty voice is decidedly better, especially on the only 5-minute piece "Do Not Resuscitate". This is the most technical cut on the album, and the drumming is simply impeccable. The vocals are slightly growled and match the ultra-aggressive of the piece perfectly. There is even a bass solo on this track, and a great one at that. More intricate playing can be heard on "Straight to the Nether Regions" with speed-of-light fretwork. Also, this song features very few vocals, which makes it all the more interesting. The kick drums on "Room 101" and epic arrangement of "Twilight of the All Too Human" are also stand-out moments on the album, but unfortunately the way the vocals are sung just doesn't and won't do it for many a thrash fan. I heard the vocals were a lot better on their previous releases, so hopefully they'll write better harmonies and utilise a more powerful approach to deliver these anti-terrorism statements on their following releases.
Recommended to die-hard thrash fans who can handle incompetent vocals only.
Track Listing
- Imprisoned Secret
- Perfect Strain
- I, Infidel
- Thirst for Blood
- These Chains
- Do Not Resuscitate
- Axiom
- Straight to the Nether Regions
- Room 101
- Twilight of the All Too Human
- Terror Ends Here
- I Am War
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