Review Summary: This album captures all the dynamics of thrash that makes it so enjoyable. A solid retro thrash release.
Here we go again, another year, another dozen or so disposable retro thrash albums. We have sure seen a fairly decent enough size of thrash releases this year, but few have managed to hold up in quality and lasting appeal. But if you look hard enough, you might just be surprised with some of the material you can find. This is one of those aforementioned surprises. On paper, this band may seem rather average and bland with regard to genre, album art, and overall style. However, Vindicator strives for quality material and it shows with this, their latest offering.
As usual, all the signature traits of thrash are present with harsh vocals, brutal riffing and energetic drumming. An overall aggressive musical stance is a pretty healthy attitude to have when you’re aiming for a more heavy sound, and Vindicator achieves this in spades. Upon my first listen, I was reminded of when I first discovered thrash; I was reminded of why I loved the genre so much, and why I keep listening to it even to this day. This is retro thrash executed perfectly without error. I would even go so far as to say that this album captures all the dynamics of thrash that makes it so enjoyable. Despite a solid retro sound, the band still manages to bring forth their own style and sound, never merely copying older bands, but rather drawing from the wells of influence to spur their own creative endeavors.
Perhaps the band’s biggest strength lay in their abilities to put forth solid riff after solid riff, while never being to repetitive. The solos are also quite enjoyable and are placed in the perfect spots without being to overdone. The album also contains some superb drumming that never lets up in energy and even stands to provide some interesting fills that lifts the album up a few notches in some places. Surprisingly good production is also a factor I was not counting on upon first listen. All this combined with a healthy dose of volume is certain enough to induce head banging. On the other, Vindicator’s all out musical assault and never-letting-up approach may also be seen as a weakness, with the band only slowing down for a beautiful instrumental acoustic closer, but this is for you to decide.
There are of course a couple minor issues to be had, and one of these lay within the vocal department. Vocals are more or less average, never really standing out, but never detracting much from the material. The vocalist’s delivery isn’t harsh like death metal vocals, but also not high pitched like power metal vocals. Rather, this vocalist provides shouting and rough vocals that reminds one of bands like Razor or Annihilator. Luckily, the vocals are layered behind the much louder guitars and aren’t showcased a whole lot. Another issue herein lies simply in the fact that this is like listening to an album straight out of 1988. There are no progressive elements; the band is not trying to reinvent the genre. Some might consider this to be stubborn and detrimental to the genre as whole, but I struggle to find issue with a band when their sound reminds me of the old days when the genre was a force to be reckoned with; when their sound details my entire childhood.
Whether you’re searching for something new, or looking to the past, this album should be on your list. This is retro thrash done right, and without error. This stands as one of the finest retro thrash releases this year. Progressive elitists will not enjoy this album, but true thrashers will have a field day here, I guarantee it.
