Review Summary: 80s Thrash Metal reborn in Pakistan
Rock and Metal aren't the most popular genres in Pakistan but several successful bands in the 2000s carried the flag and quenched the thirst of Pakistani fans that yearned for homegrown heavy bands. After a relatively dry period there's been an emergence of several young bands recently that have given the genres a new lease of life, incorporating various styles ranging from Progressive Metal to Sufi Rock. Thrash Metal was never on the menu however, until Tabahi.
Tabahi (pronounced Ta-ba-hee) is an Urdu word which translates to 'destruction'. An apt name given their influences are the old school Bay Area and German Teutonic Thrash bands, the latter of which can really be heard in Daniyal Soomro's demonic rasps. The guitar tone and riffs harken back to the 80s thrash heyday but with a modern organic production. The sound feels raw and stripped down without any superfluous flashiness, which works in the albums' favour. Faiq Ahmad's guitar playing is remarkable and is equaled by his songwriting ability. Speed and brutality are ever-present however the focus on a strong rhythmic backbone and great mean riffs like on 'Politricks' and 'Run For Your Life' are what make me keep coming back for more. Nothing is overdone and everything is in service to the song.
Intensity is the name of the game and is injected into proceedings with the help of the stellar drumming by Omair Soomro who is deep in the pocket, beside the car keys and wallet. The punchiness of the drums and rhythmic intensity support the gritty guitar & bass tones superbly. The slight tempo changes give the songs a push-and-pull feel while keeping the energy level high. The solos are top notch, finding a great balance between shredding and melodic playing that fit the songs perfectly. Daniyal does double duty on vocals and bass, with his shrieking vocals fitting perfectly with the music assault and lyrics about political unrest and social struggles in the country. Topics that appropriately fit the rebellious nature of the compositions.
At 27 minutes this isn’t a long album with most songs being three minutes or under, and on occasion the short song lengths left me craving more. I would have loved if they stretched out some of the songs to give them a more fully fleshed feel, however it's better than the songs overstaying their welcome. Considering there were no early Pakistani Thrash bands as a gateway for later bands, the fact that Tabahi have the boldness to release an old school Thrash metal album is a feat in itself that deserves admiration, especially when the album is genuinely this good.
Recommended Tracks:
1. Politricks
2. Run For Your Life
3. Kingpin
4. Outcast
Album stream: https://youtu.be/YWmJhXq2wnM?si=frvRDs9TnPCafdHy
