Album Review: Methane - Kill It With Fire
Reviewed by Carl Black
Methane have produced a super confident thrash metal album. This set of songs have a certain swagger that struts itself across the metal scene. It has got its head thrown back, its chest forward and a standing 10-ft tall as it walks amongst other competitors. Our friends up north (of the M25) would say this album is “cock of the walk”.
And it's got substance to back it up as well, it's not all fur coat and no knickers. The fur coat is of a 90s design with modern-day refinements. It's got some classic chic in there and some alternative leanings that makes the album even more interesting.
Vicious singing on every single song with some gilt edge guitar riffing. Opener and title track 'Kill It With Fire' is a fine example of a groove riff embellished with a brilliant chorus. 'Accuser'” (my pick of the bunch) starts off with pinch harmonics, a wah-wah based solo leading into sample loops and a hooky chorus with gang vocals. They've thrown a lot of faeces at this particular wall and most of it has stuck.
'Declare Chaos' has a stuttering riff that is going to get people literally fighting in the pit. They add a bit of speed to 'Shock and Awe' which blends nicely into the thrash pot. We all know Slayer loved a fade in… well Methane get on the act and do it well during 'Blood Red Sky'.
The album finishes out with more jumping riffs and pinched harmonics that would get a Pantera/Machine Head double bill swinging.
Far from the finished article Methane have got plenty of room to grow. They have started with a solid foundation focusing on a very clear demographic which still has an appetite of for type of music. Sweden has always been a hotbed for decent heavy music, are Methane the next in line??
