Any band that releases a song called ‘Tory Punching Music’ immediately deserves attention, so it’s just as well that outside of that one track they have been able to concoct an album which may just make you want to punch the entire governmental system into next week. Politic baiting aside though, Tyrannus really do come up with the goods.
Hailing from Scotland, the band’s particular form of blackened thrash blazes through their sophomore album Mournhold. Lightning riffs explode from tracks like opener ‘Violent Inheritance’, which contains the promise that this album might be something quite special. That feeling is accentuated on the excellent ‘Orbus Non Sufficit’, which leans much more into the blackened aspects of their sound. Buzzing riffs blast out against a primordial stomp.
‘Seize The Stars’ barks out at you in true malicious black metal style. a marching, triumphant sound which promises you true victories if you bow down to the band. Riffs rip out against melodic moments where the music almost feels as if it’s going to fall in on itself. It’s a self-contained world of malevolent evil. A rattling bass then takes us into an unexpected synth opening for ‘Flesh Eternal’, which feels like a cross between Rammstein and Gary Numan. It feels out of place at first but you have to respect the band for bringing unafraid to throw new elements in the mix. It can’t always be blackened thrash metal you know!
‘Reignfall’ brings back the metal with a finely tuned NWOBHM style riff before heading off into a track which simply bleeds rock and roll. Like a bastard sound of Motörhead, filtered through early thrash, its punk energy is sure to cause some incessant head-banging. After what feels like a rather disjointed middle section though, the album returns to the epic grandeur of those early tracks with ‘Mournhold’. Final track ‘Back To Grey’ flashes by in some rather fantastic galloping riffs, making for a suitably melodic and heavy end to the album.
A band to keep an eye on, there is a lot here to keep the interest burning. In the main, the music is deeply satisfying and will certainly demand repeated plays. Unafraid to try things differently, they sound best when embracing the full on blackened thrash sound and it’s this that makes the album such a good listen. Great stuff!
