Album Review: Booby Trap - L(i)mbo
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
There’s an elegant, sophisticated piano led piece called “Salvacao” that opens proceedings on the seventh full length album from Portuguese thrash metal/crossover quintet Booby Trap. Though to be fair, it doesn’t prepare you for the hardcore energy and thrash rage that awaits you.
“Um Dia de Cada Vez” has a booming bass line from Tojo and complimented perfectly by drummer Hugo Lemos, who is relentless in the pursuit of hammering his kit like there’s no tomorrow. The band have been going for nearly thirty years, and this album sees vocalist Pedro Junquiero embrace his mother tongue for the angst filled lyrics.
“Sorte Maldita” is a fiery number, which increases in tempo with guitarists Pedro and Miguel Azevedo exchanging riffs throughout before “Cancao do Bandido” comes along like an annoying insect and gnaws away at you. The band have drawn on personal experiences and poke at social injustices on these tracks, which are raw and hard hitting. I’m enjoying the change in vocals across the songs, with anthemic sections seamlessly fitted in alongside thrash compositions.
They up the ante with “Vulto” and it has that “Caught in a Mosh” Frank Bello bass vibe to it, which I love. There’s simply no let up from the band, and these riffs will cause mayhem to people in a moshpit, it’s almost as if they have predicted an apocalyptic ending. The guitar sounds are glorious on “Maldicao” as your eardrums get another clobbering, but it’s one that you are going to enjoy.
“Sera Que Ha Vida Antes da Morte” and “Maquina Militar” sees the tempo and sound continue in a similar vein, with the rhythm sections powering the songs forward. The latter has a screeching solo at the start which provides impetus for the rest of song, before the album title track, “Limbo” gets an outing. The band have a cover of Trust’s “Antisocial” up next, which sounds strange hearing it in their native language, as I’m used to listening to Joey Belladonna sing it, but it’s quality, nonetheless.
“Nada de Nada” has a quicker pace and sounds like a rocket being fired, and the angry, aggressive nature sees it falling in the category of being my favourite song on the album. Finally, they end with “Matar ou Morrer” starting off with another monstrous bass and drum sound, that lays the platform for the guitars to wreak havoc and the vocals to hit you like a sledgehammer. Be warned. Be ready.
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