ERADIKATOR - Edge Of Humanity
September 16, 2015, 8 years ago
(Divebomb)
"For fans of Xentrix" reads more like challenge than temptation to me, but in the best of ways: I actually referenced Xentrix when reviewing Brit thrashers Eradikator's debut, 2012's Dystopia (reissued by Divebomb last year), and also commented that that album was way too long in the tooth at 52 minutes, so imagine my joy to see this one is a more merciful 45 minutes (shave another five off next time, boys).
I gave Dystopia a 7.0, and gotta give this one a bit of an edge; the band's very straight-laced take on thrash has got just a touch more concise and sharp, and while they still struggle to have much emotional nuance (but they're getting there), they do the, well, Xentrix thing well, which is to say second-tier Metallica/Bay Area thrash done up beefy and solid, here with some great swagger ("Man Behind The Mask" is easily one of their best tunes, although last album's instrumental "Odysseus" was amazing too), tons of tight double bass work and lots of mid-tempo chugging, again, the lack of emotional dynamics this band's main stumbling point, although a song like the great "Fortress Unknown" shows they're taking some steps in a very good direction in that regard, the tune's dynamics and release very powerful. Closer "Kairos Passing" adds in some extra instrumentation (kinda works) and some very cool soaring solos and moody dynamics. Damn, I'm impressed: this is a solid second effort from these guys.
