Thursday, October 18, 2018

DEGRAVE - Self Titled review



DEGRAVE - Self Titled 

Self Released




A few weeks ago a kid at work was playing METALLICA. It was a couple of songs off of Ride the Lightning. He was also playing some other thrash acts of the past. I was like, "hey cool finally some decent music." Then the inevitable comeback ensues as in "Yeah I only like their first three albums and that's it." I wouldn't argue against that point. But there is something significant in that stance.


The original reign of thrash metal lived and died by it's own rules; aka: loud hard and fast. After four years that was about it. The bands moved on to explore other avenues or just called it quits. The thrash revival from a decade ago was shorter lived obviously since they were copying the past. Albeit some were not that bad at it and allowed for a few enjoyable moments.


And so here we are a decade later and I'm listening to the second album by DEGRAVE, a four piece thrash act from Jefferson City, Missouri. Well moreover I'm listening to a band highly influenced by MEGADETH and VOIVOD. Not an odd pairing of influences at all and obvious noticeable from their first song onward. Still as the release played out I have to say it never got boring. 


I give em credit for capturing the essence of their predecessors without wanting to turn them off and reaching for the original thing. The power components here are wild soloing, inventive song craft and basic thrash style riffs that are familiar. One cut even has a opening bass solo. The vocals have that early hardcore harshness sound to em. Yeah I bet their live shows involve a lot of slam pit action. Some big label should sign these guys. As far as that kid from work, well after the thrash he put on some rap so fuck him.


https://degrave.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/degravethrash/




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