Thrash metal has been pumping our veins full of hot adrenalin for the last three decades and regardless of commercial peaks and troughs, it continues to be the true fire that burns within heavy metal’s immortal heart. Exploding out from the deceptively genteel streets of Norwich, England, riff-wielding die-hards Shrapnel are one of the finest new bands to proclaim their devotion to keeping the thrash flame blazing. Shrapnel’s heavier, harder-hitting, more ferocious sophomore effort “Raised on Decay” was released recently via Spinefarm Records and it’s a record that will light a fire under any Thrash, Death, Tech, Shred fan and is sure to be one of the top albums in 2017.
As far as thrash metal goes, bands come and go and it’s always been like that since it’s inception in the early 80’s. While nothing has really changed as far as the main ingredients of what constitutes thrash, modern speedsters have injected a real aggression and technical displays of musicianship that has evolved over the years. The difference here in Shrapnel‘s new album “Raised On Decay” is that while missing none of the aforementioned, they have also made sure that it’s a fun record to listen to and not just in a humerous, goofy way like Municipal Waste or Lost Society but in a more serious but fashionable manner that makes you appreciate the sheer brutality of it all.
While there are varying degrees of tempo changes through out, within each song and from song to song, for the most part this is a consistently pummeling record that is fairly unrelentless from start to finish. From the grand intro that leads to the fast and ferocious opener “Hollow Earth” to the closing dark but groovy “Choir of Wolves“, “Raised On Decay” is a frenzied attack on the senses that stays true to the genre in every way possible. There’s plenty of variation though, enough to keep things a little more balanced. “Jester” is mostly mid-tempo but does switch gears a few times. Breakdowns leading to killer solo section and a mean chugging riff that just screams “headbang!”. “Echoes of Emptiness” is in a similar vein tempo wise as is the title track with a fearsome galloping main riff.
The fast stuff is littered everywhere and is really what drives you to this album in the first place, the rhythm section alone is on point and delivers blow by blow a series of attacks that kills off any breathing space. After the opening track, “Complete Resection” steps things up a notch or 2 and drives the point through with blistering speed. This song just clicks in all the right places and is early on, a real highlight to hear. There’s a few nods to the old school with the old Overkill and Kreator type stuff like in “The Boundaries Set” and “08-1.0.1“, combining both a bit of melody and hook to really catch your interest. “Carved From Above” is one of the favorites here though, it’s a real thrash attack with a super aggressive riff and some blazing drum work. This is modern thrash done brilliantly but with a touch of the old school to keep it real and in check, throw in an old Slayer cover of “Antichrist” and you got all the boxes ticked.
A fine effort from the UK thrashers who have really done the genre proud by tearing every core element a new one and restitching it back up with some serious bite. When your air drumming to new music like this on first listen, you know you’re hearing something good and “Raised By Decay” will most definitely get you going!
TRACKLIST
Hollow Earth
Complete Resection
oundaries Set
Jester
Pariah
Echoes of Emptiness
Carved From Above
08-1.0.1
Raised On Decay
Choir of Wolves
Antichrist