This Australian follows the thrashing path laid down by Exodus back in the 80s but plays it while using a big modern guitar tone that delivers a great deal of crushing density. The vocals are more "Fabulous Disaster" than "Bonded By Blood". They weave a great deal of crunchy mosh riffage into the four minutes of the first actual song. Truth be told, Exodus doesn't even sound like this now, though these guys do speed things up into a blast beat at times as they are focused on the hyper-aggressive side of the genre, but still deliberate. With "Messiah Simplex," they push this in a more Slayer-like direction. Though the mean hooky riffs come through again for them.
"Trial By Liar" leans into the punk influence of the genre, at tit lurs the line between what is hardcore and what is thrash. I like the way the vocals are produced on this song. Power Trip better not wait around too long to release their comeback album, or these guys might claim the vacant spot. Things get darker for "the God That Knows No Name". The chugged riff that is the backbone of this song is more deliberate. The vocals come closer to actual singing on the bridge. This is the album's best song so far. They pour on the speed for "Kleptogenesis," which is less enthralling. It reminds me of Slayer's more punk newer phases.
There is more groove to " A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits". The guitar solos here are pretty tasteful and add melody to the song. "The Joyful Strain" marries Exodus-like grooving verses to an Accept-tinged chorus, though Accept was obviously an influence on Exodus to begin with. "Ending" finds more purpose in their chugs as the riff carries more of a hook, before they pour on the thrashing speed. In some ways it also makes me think of old Atrophy. There are a few passages that carry more of a groove heading into the verse, but a less defined chorus. The producer was aware of their vocal limitations, as the more sung vocal sections are layered or effected.
"Vice Borne" finds things running together at a high speed and working off a similar formula as the previous song. But it is still pretty effective. The title track closes the album and pulls off what they have shown works for them but given a more epic scope with a bigger refrain taking the song out. I will give this one a 9, as the second half of the album tends to take on a more uniform feel as they give in to the need for speed, but it still works and they care about songwriting, which is better than just caring about trying to recapture the 80s feel for nostalgia, making forward-thinking thrash a commodity.Drops September 11th on Metal Blade.
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