Wraith, from Indiana, deal in old school thrash with a blackened edge. All incendiary riffs, and vocals reminiscent of Lemmy in some instances, they retain a punk edge to their music whilst in keeping with the technical aspects of the music
Having started as a solo project, the now quartet’s new album Descent Into Darkness is a raucous affair influenced by World War l. Featuring a history teacher as one of their members, it’s a lesson (see what we did there?) in a brutal assault on your senses. Much like trench warfare as the riffs rattle out their musical fire, blasting you into pieces.
Tracks like ‘Over The Top’ take you on that journey into the trenches, but lyrical prowess aside, it’s the riffs and pummelling rhythms that keep you involved. Taking their cue from the breakneck speed of early Testament, it’s head-banging manna. The chemistry of the band provides a technicality which keeps the riffs all in line, whilst also opening up the music to moments of slight brevity. Not that it gets lighter, it’s just a change of tempo here and there to let some air in. Throw in some rather nifty guitar work and it’s a rather enjoyable mix.
Where thrash is usually balanced with a levity, proceedings are much more serious here given the subject matter. There is a darkness to ‘Lord Of Wolves’, which is a reflection in of the whole album and it does get slightly weighty at times. ‘No Man’s Land’ goes for a slower approach, although only seems to make the music all the more oppressive.
Minor quibbles aside though, and Descent Into Darkness is a rather decent thrash album. The genre is going through a bit of a renaissance at the moment, and Wraith are a great addition. Balancing the punk edge of the genre, with a more classic metal approach, the album relies more on its belief in its own weightiness than the often chaotic approach that thrash takes, and whilst that can at times be its own downfall, on the whole Wraith get away with it.
