Artist: Algebra
Title: Procreation
Type: EP
Label: Hungry Ghosts Productions

Well now some would say metal is rife with band names that would scare the uninitiated - whether the subject be cannibals or demons or disease, but nothing sends me into a cold sweat in quite the same way as Algebra. No, mathematics was never my strongest subject and it’s something I’ve purposely put to the very deepest, darkest regions of my cerebral cortex since I walked out of the school gates for the final time. Quite why anyone would choose to name themselves Algebra, to me, just doesn’t add up. Of course it would make a fantastic moniker if you’re bashing out a kind of Meshuggah inspired brand of mathcore, but in fact this group of Swiss youngsters have much more of a straight forward, old school thrash sound than anything else.

There’s a mandatory intro passage that leads us to the first real track ‘Algebra’ which displays some competent musicianship – the riffs are played with unbridled speed and with a slightly muddy and threatening edge that reminds of perhaps early Kreator and there are just the right amount of tempo changes to keep things interesting. There’s some quick-fingered lead guitar work especially notable on ‘Pronator Teres’ and in places there’s a subtle progressive leaning as well which enters into the equation. Confusingly track four is actually called ‘III’ and lyrically seems to be about thrashing out with yer mates and emo bashing which is frankly a topic that soon gets tired once you get past the age of 20. Seriously, let them cut themselves in peace, okay?

The vocals on this EP are raw and have quite a deathly edge to them, while still sounding legible enough and quite palatable. ‘Procreation’ is certainly darker in tone and there’s a bit of Dark Angel and Possessed to be heard in its death-thrash assault. The riffs sound mean and punishing and the bass is nice and fat giving off quite a sinister vibe, and towards the end things get quite melodic with some really nice guitar work. ‘Useless Mankind’ plunges straight into the pit with some scything, fast as fuck drums and guitars and you really get the feeling they are out for blood. This is highly derivative stuff, but it certainly has the aggression you’d expect from thrash metal, and if you like yours to sound a bit dirty and mean-spirited then this is for you. I’d say that sums this lot up just nicely.

http://www.myspace.com/algebrathrash