Thrash is both one of the best and worst genres of metal. On the one hand it’s one of the most enjoyable and satisfying styles going, on the other is the complete lack of deviation a blueprint established 30-odd years ago.
Founded in Southern California in 1984, Hirax were there when the original thrash blueprint was being set out by the likes of Metallica and Slayer. The band themselves only managed a couple of well received but relatively obscure albums before taking a break until the new millennium. Now on to their fifth outing, founder and lead singer Katon W. De Pena is the sole remaining member of the original line up, and he’s joined by Lance Harrison (Guitars), Steve Harrison (Bass) and Jorge Iacobellis (Drums). Despite the line up flux, new album Immortal Legacy (Steamhamer/SPV) stays true the Bay Area sound.
Producing is Bill Metoyer, who was behind the desk for their first two 80s releases. And from the Philip Lawvere (Kreator’s Pleasure To Kill) artwork to the song titles to the way it sounds, everything about this album has a real classic 80s metal vibe. Musically it’s classic Slayer-meets-Exodus thrash; fast and aggressive. There’s crunching high-octane riffs, plenty of machine gun drumming and De Pena’s vocals range from NWOBHM-esque melody to raw screams.
From opener ‘Black Smoke’ through to closer ‘The World Will Burn,’ we’re given 40 minutes relentless metal. If you like high quality thrash, there’s plenty on offer to keep you happy. Whether it’s the shredding assault of ‘Hellion Rising’ or the searing solos of ‘Thunder Roar, The Conquest, La Boca de la Bestia – The Mouth of the Beast’, the band sound full of energy and deliver on the quality. Hirax have created a really strong set of songs here; listened to on their own, ever song is a winner, whether it’s early numbers like ‘Victims Of The Dead’ or later tracks such as the pummeling ‘Violence Of Action,’ the quality doesn’t dip. The problem is that as a whole it’s very easy to become fatigued by the rigid formula they stick to.
As a thrash album, Immortal Legacy will be one of the best you’ll hear all year. The band play with an intensity that belies their 80s roots, the song writing is solid and De Pena’s vocals are spot on. The only problems with it are the same as with thrash as a genre; originality is basically extinct.
7.5/10
DAN SWINHOE