There’s not much about regarding this promising sounding thrash outfit from Salt Lake City, but what is about there is the fact they play thrash metal and they do it really well. With one album already released, “The Other Side Of Darkness” is a short five tracker which is sure to satisfy those with a need for more thrash. Let’s have a peek at the other side then shall we?
Opening up with “Beyond Obsession”, this five track hits like a freight train with a real pounding, chugging thrash groove which explodes to life for the verses. Heavy guitars, deep bass and tight drums are joined by some real gritty vocals and it’s the perfect sound and pace to headbang along to. Lead guitar wise, the solo is fantastic but the highpoint of this track is the 80’s styled thrash groove which kicks in round the midpoint of the track. “Means To An End” has a more ominous sound to it as it starts with some powerful rhythm providing the backing to an eerie lead melody and once again, as soon as it nears the verse, it explodes to life. Going all out and taking no prisoners, the verse ups the intensity and then transitions into some real heavy chugs before a frantic sounding chorus. With a real old school vibe about it, sprinkled with a touch of modern day heaviness, this track is fantastic and the epic middle section which kicks in round the 2:30 mark just screams classic thrash.
Title track, “Other Side Of Darkness” is the midpoint of the release and it has a real Exodus styled sound to it. Rapid pace and frantic, this relentless thrash assault has more venom to its vocal delivery and the guitars have more of a cutting edge to them. Even when the track slightly slows down, it still feels fast as fuck and the melodic lead harmony section which gives way to the solo really caps a solid display. Keeping with the powerful displays, “Headless Throne” opens with a twisty lead melody which builds up to another frantic paced thrash assault. The vocals still have that venomous delivery and the transitions between the sections of the song are barely even noticeable. Full of twisting lead work and epic sounding rhythm sections, this track has everything you want in a thrash track and the chugging rhythm underneath the faster paced harmony line in the outro brings it all together neatly.
“Death Wish” closes the release and like the previous tracks, it’s another fast one with a real powerful groove to it. Fast as hell in the verses and some solid riffs in the choruses, it’s a great display of rhythm work and the soloing which follows each chorus just gets longer and wilder. The bass break helps build the track up for the final push and when you bring in the epic riffs and the main solo with its multiple twisting layers, it all comes together brilliantly and closes this controlled burst of aggression in musical form the right way.
Overall, Deathblow have managed to tap that classic thrash feel but keep it as heavy as some of the more modern thrash releases. With a sound which has hints of Slayer, Overkill and Exodus in it, this release takes no prisoners. The only downside to it is that there are only five tracks. Well worth a listen for all you thrashers out there.
(7/10 Fraggle)
https://www.facebook.com/dethblo
https://deathblow1.bandcamp.com/album/the-other-side-of-darkness
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