Year: 2020
Total Time: 48:02
Label: Metal Blade
Let’s take a rapid look (as is the album) of the Thrash Quartet from Melbourne, Australia, which has had 3 EPs (one unreleased) and another 3 complete LPs on its “arsenal” since 2006. So we start strong with HARDCORE / THRASH vocals full of energy, where the hot riffs in SLAYER and HAUNTED style give and take. Then we will hear a nice cut towards the end of “Idol Minded” and we continue with gymnastics of our neck, with movements up and down rhythmically, listening to the barbaric staccato riff of “Bring on the War”.
Admittedly, this track contains a very good intro, Black metal elements in the music background to keep the rhythm, a smart turn / speed up from where you do not expect it and a “catchy” chorus. Elements that easily rank this composition among the best of the album, but also the most representative of HARLOTT music. That is a combination that has it all: fast playing, sharp riffs on the guitars, mid tempo crushing moments, melodic solos as well as fierce sing along vocals. Without breath the next “Detritus Of the Final Age” erupts, where the influences from TESTAMENT and EVILE are more than obvious. Also, in the technical “Prime Evil” with almost the same “Dyers Eve”-ish introduction to the drums, the volume must rise! This track is strongly reminiscent of KREATOR’ s “Extreme Aggression” era.
Where I thought the whole album would go crazy and speedy with 200 km, to my surprise arrives their “ballad”, the 8 minute “Nemesis”. Although it is also a fast track, it has more melodic moments and its position during the album serves as a breathing space for the listener to recharge his energy batteries. Its closing also reminded me of OVERKILL “Evil Never Dies (E.N.D.)”. A pretty good time! In addition, the mix in the TESTAMENT oriented “Slaughter” is very good. “Detritus of the Final Age” will be completed with a GRIP INC. aesthetics everpresent in the trilogy (“Grief”, “Miserere of the Dead”, “The Time to Kill Is Now”).
A THRASH METAL album, which while it will not become my favorite, is quite good with a different and pleasant mix in terms of the sound production, reminiscent of good old days of KREATOR, EXODUS, ANNIHILATOR, TESTAMENT, SLAYER, GRIP INC. and a bit of AM I BLOOD. Although they want to look like EVILE, I think they are better than them, because they produce something more genuine and honest in terms of their overall sound. The album contains very good ideas, authentic riffing and it is a bit difficult for someone to single out a song, since everything is on the same high level. So 50 minutes of good THRASH, enjoy freely!
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: HARLOTT – Facebook Page
