EP Review: Deathblow - Open Season
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
Sometimes you get an EP that really whets the appetite for something that comes later down line, and the new four song offering from Salt Lake City thrashers Deathblow, does exactly that. From the first to the last note, it’s a fun, feral and ferocious explosion of noise that will leave you salivating.
The quartet attack from the start, with the EP titled track kicking things off, as the four hits of the hi hat from drummer Rob Larson, signals their intent. The guitars from Holton Grossl and Adam Kelly then take complete control, and with the former spitting out lyrics “aimed at the heart of the belligerent American Empire” as he shouts “Open Season” over rand over again. The rhythm flows and allows the slick solo to cascade around your eardrums, before they release more anger.
It's too easy and lazy to make comparisons with other thrash bands, but they bring an unashamed punk attitude to what they do. The bass from Paul LaChica, has a chance to shine during “Deny, Defend, Dispose” and the solo is once again well executed, and I’ve no doubts that the high-top wearing, stage diving youth will adore this and duly set about the stage to fuck things up!!!
The pace doesn’t slow, in fact it intensifies further with “Tormentor”. The rhythm and the riffs, sound fresh, which can be hard in a saturated field, but they pay homage to classic thrash, with the bass and drum section over the distant background vocal, harking back to simpler times, before you get the next assault.
With an EP laden with scathing social commentary, final track “Never Again” has a bass lick that I really enjoy, and it brings the song alive. The solos are quick and full of aggression, and you are easily forgiven if you think this was made in the 1980’s. It serves as a reminder that thrash can sound both old and new, as Deathblow have crafted songs that are raw and unrelenting as they aim to deliver a few knockout punches to the genre.
Be the first to comment