Artist: Zenithal
Title: Death Race
Type: Album
Label: Casket

Margate; a seaside retreat…and a new home for UK thrash? This young band has just released this effort upon the unsuspecting world. Musically it is what we have come to expect from the modern troop of UK thrash bands actually; heads-down speed, crushing vocals (we shall get onto those later) and finally a band with melody in their arsenal! Opener ‘Death Race’ really hits the spot. The frantic guitar work is something special here, and in general the song arrangements are crafted to perfection. The vocals, as I mentioned earlier, take an aggressive raspy approach, going between Ripper Owens in the higher register to Phil Anselmo and Gary Meskil of Pro-Pain in the lower register. This is the only thing that grinds on me, whilst being fitting in their heavier moments, the constant barrage weighs heavy on the concentration factor. James Scott shows that in the higher register, this guy rocks pure and simple. Drummer Graeme Van De Merwe has a modern approach to his style, with frantic kick drum fills and a good nod to the old school. In fact, I find ‘Sing for the Damned’ crossing into Cowboys from Hell territory; now that isn’t a bad thing, is it? Mid way through, the traditional metal influences come in bucket loads – galloping guitar work, and more Ripper homage on vocals – this is similar to what Elimination (UK) does, with their mix of thrash and traditional heavy metal. There it goes again; the guitars, these chaps are talented individuals incorporating some unexpected death metal beats in ‘Blue Magic’! Other notable highlights (well, the whole album is a highlight!) is the bruising ‘Crucifuxion’ (pretty much a thrash masterpiece), and ‘Punch and Judy,’ with its underlying serious message.

This came as a shock, to be honest. This is a great album, some of it is predictable but the arrangements throw curveballs in the musical style rather than structure along the way. This is truly a band to check out and to support with a healthy, beer soaked smile. What a release - nice one fellas!

http://www.myspace.com/zenithal1