UK veteran thrashers Onslaught are back with a new album titled “Generation Antichrist” and it’s a huge welcome back as the band come back stronger as ever. It’s been some time since their last release VI” back in 2013 so those awaiting new material from the British legends will finally relish in huge anticipation for what may be one of the best metal albums for 2020.
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first before sinking right into the songs. Those following the band will know of vocalist Sy Keeler’s departure earlier this year and so that right there will be an obvious talking point when listening to the new tracks. New singer Dave Garnett stepped in very last minute and had the task of adding his vocals to already pre-recorded tracks, a very big pair of shoes to fill so the pressure was clearly on. But credit to the new guy, he filled in nicely with a remarkable result that I think will appease fans used to Sy’s more gruff voice.
The addition of the closing track on here, “A Perfect Day To Die” is interesting and will give fans a good comparison between the two singers. Originally released a year ago with Sy Keeler still at the vocal position, the re-recorded version with the new vocal tracks is largely the same with the growls still there, it’s got muscle but there’s also a slightly more polished gleam running across it all too and that’s where the main difference ultimately will be. It’s slightly different but subtle enough to not be a major contention and that’s what makes Generation Antichrist work with Dave.
Moving into the songs themselves, the first listen to the public with Dave is the single “Religiousuicide” which precedes the aforementioned previous single to close out the album. Whether it was intentional for these two tracks to be left at the end of the album is a question I’m sure many will ask but it works as it gives the listener a chance to fully sink into the rest of the album without worrying too much about those two tracks until after it’s said and done. But the new single is a tight and fast paced number and exemplifies all that is great about Onslaught, hence why it works as a teaser for the new album.
After the initial intro track “Rise To Power” opens the album, “Strike Fast Strike Hard” comes in and lives up to it’s title. It’s a hard hitting thrasher that sets the tone for the entire album right away.
“Bow Down To The Clowns” brings a bit more dynamic to an otherwise solid energy filled song as does the title track which may be one of the highlights to grab people’s attention initially. Thematically Onslaught stick with their guns – anti-authoritarian, political observations and statements on the dysfunctional state of society – it may seem typical metal fare but it’s a signature Onslaught stamp with their own authority on the public discourse which seems more relevant now than ever before.
The other tracks that remain unmentioned don’t lose any quality too as the album heads towards that tail end known for the usual filler material. “All Seeing Eye” has the perfect pacing with it’s chugging riffs leading the charge, “Addicted To The Smell Of Death” is another energy fused song but keeping the thrashier aspects at bay just barely while “Empires Fall” gets your foot stomping in it’s catchy but heavy beat.
It’s been a while between drinks for Onslaught but the wait is worth it, “Generation Antichrist” will certainly stand out among the metal releases for 2020 and with a new singer onboard, things might start to really heat up once the pandemic crisis settles down.
8/10
TRACKLIST
Rise to Power
Strike Fast Strike Hard
Bow Down To The Clowns
Generation Antichrist
All Seeing Eye
Addicted To The Smell Of Death
Empires Fall
Religiousuicide
A Perfect Day To Die
