I’m a Thrash junkie. My addiction started as a teen when I started dabbling in Megadeth. From there I had to go harder adding more extreme bands to my growing addiction. Several years later and now a full-blown addict, it’s become increasingly more difficult to scratch that itch. When Raider showed up in my inbox, I knew I found what I was looking for.

 

Raider comes to us from Ontario, Canada. The band was formed in 2017 and released a three-song demo, Urge to Kill, in the following year. 2020 saw the release of Raider’s first full-length and highly acclaimed release, Guardian of the Fire.

 

Raider’s highly energized style of blistering Thrash and melodic Death Metal actually helps the band stand apart in an already crowded subgenre of extreme metal. While Raider’s actual style is tough to define, their ability to melt your face is clear as day.

 

The album kicks off with the title track, ‘Trial by Chaos’ which starts off with a riff that feels like old-school Deicide. This is quickly followed by some killer solos that get more intense as the track goes on. On top of this Raider annihilates your earholes with viscous dual vocals. This is a helluva way to start the album.

 

With eight tracks and a runtime of just under forty minutes, Raider kept the assault going throughout the rest of the recording. While there is a great deal of circle pit-inducing Thrash going on here, it’s the melodic moments that help Trial By Chaos (Self-Released) stand out. Tons of grooves and killer riffs are present here and the band manages to meld Thrash and Melodic Death Metal perfectly.

 

This album should come with a warning label. I’m afraid I might start thrashing around the house and break a lamp or hip. How Raider stayed off my radar for this long is a mystery to me. What I do know, however, is they may have just become my new Thrash dealer.

 

Buy the album here:

https://raiderofficial.bandcamp.com/album/trial-by-chaos

9 / 10

ANDREW RISCH