Baltimore, Maryland death thrasher Noisem (formerly called Necropsy) know one speed. And that speed is fast. Occasionally they slow a tad (a very small tad) to build up to a frenetic ass-ripping solo. Other than that, full speed thrash ahead. And for that I am grateful.
Who the hell opens up an album with a guitar solo? Well, the answer is right here. A quick but efficiently rocking solo bust opens this album on ‘Voices In The Morgue’. What follows is a well known but awesomely executed thrash attack. The guitar tone is classic but modern. There are a few bands, whose names I won’t mention, which could benefit from looking at the rigs these guys use. I hear bits and pieces of Slayer-esque solo work on a few tracks, but it seems more a tribute to the music, not a rip off. And honestly, no one is going to flat out rip a Slayer solo because we all know them. Noisem just do a great job of shredding like the “pros”. The gang vocals on ‘Rotten Remains'? Oh hell yes!!
‘Desire and Disgust’ and ‘Severed’ keep true to the short and sweet category, 80 seconds the former and 124 the later. Burst of energy in an already energetic as fuck album? Sure, why not!! ‘Chronic Dementia’ is probably the most “old-school” track on the album, bringing the trade off riffs and galloping drums like crazy. I hear more Exodus than any other bands, and that again is an awesome thing. Even though I hear these other bands, I’m more or less just using them as a comparison or reference point. The whole package that Noisem bring is solid as fuck and no imitation. Chug and churn riffs, blazing solos, vocals that are clear but packed with full aggression and bass plodding away with drums that do not know the word stop. From start to finish this album is thrash till death, then wake up and do it all over again.
For a bunch of young, and I mean young, guys, Noisem have an amazing future in store. If they can keep pushing away and playing by their own rules, the sky is the limit. Since some people have called the end of the previous decade’s retro-thrash wave, Noisem have showed up at a good time. They won’t be lumped with a lot of bands that didn’t last and/or had nothing to bring to the table. Sometimes being late to the party has it’s benefits. You see these boys out on the road, be sure to buy them (the legal drinking age ones at least) a beer!! Or at least buy a fucking t-shirt!!
Agony Defined will be released on CD, LP and digital download on June 10th through A389 Recordings. It’s not even a question: If you like thrash metal that packs a punch and doesn’t overstay its welcome, Agony Defined is just for you.
Support artists and musicians you love and enjoy, buy this friggin album!!
HAIL!!!!!
