Coming with the dreaded ‘groove/thrash metal’ tag, and some 80s B grade cover artwork (intentional I’m sure), I didn’t have very high expectations for the debut from this Netherlands act, but the old  adage  ‘never judge a book by its cover’, was pretty appropriate here, as I actually ended up rather enjoying this thrashy little beast.

What helps, is the ‘groove metal’ label is a bit misleading, this is far more balls on tight, modern thrash/melodeath with inherent beefy Dutch backbone. When the bad goes all out, I get a bit of a Dew Scented vibe, but a little chunkier and restrained. It’s well produced, energetic and has some decent song writing. listen to the opener “Disconnected” or “The Abominable”.

That all said, there is plenty of thrashing groove on display as well as heard on the title track “Red” or “Vanquishers”. And Melodic death metal fans will pick up on the lead guitar work here and there such as “Loss of Solace”. The vocals of Tim Koole keep things just barely over into death metal realms also, rather than pure thrash or groove metal.

I’m not a huge thrash guy but 2 recent releases, this feisty, self released little number and Mortal Infinity‘s In Cold Blood (ironically Mortal Infinity‘s District Destruction was the last modern thrash album I truly loved), have got my attention, so maybe there is hope yet.

[Visit the band's website]

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