Aftermath [Crossover/Chicago]

It's not too often that a band pops up on Napalms page with a demo of music that wasn't written and recorded in the small time that we've been running. But just last week one band from Chicago posted a demo straight from their tape released in '87... That's right, Nineteen eighty fucking seven! If there's ever bands that like to pretend to be old school, Aftermath are not one of them. Because they are just about as integrated with the Crossover Thrash scene as Mike Muirs love for Pepsi.

Formed in the pivotal 80's decade that spawned Thrash and Crossover, Aftermath are no strangers to the scene, and even played a good role in pioneering the genre. Being one of the first bands to embrace the clash of Metal and Punk, and chuck their own mix of hybrid sound out to the public. Now reformed in 2014 the band are once again looking to gig and write material that pay decadence to their now well defined sound. Although dates for this year are yet to surface, the band have two hometown shows in Chicago, as well as an outing to Germany planned for 2015. Here they'll be playing tracks not heard in live form since the dusk of the '80's, and Thrashing once again!



1987's 'Killing The Future' demo was one of the first releases I heard by the band, and for good reason. Searching for material by them is a damn hard prospect. Even in todays internet flooded society, only a hand full of tracks have been uploaded to the tube of you's, and 'Killing The Future' happens to be the only full release. Kicking straight in with all the in your face brashness you'd expect from Crossover, the old school elements and warm raw feeling are all in place as expected. Tempos quickly reach blistering pace, but are greatly split by really cool melodic interludes which introduce a more technical edge, not something often heard in the gung-ho styling of the genre. The touches on tracks like 'When Will You Die' certainly give the band a really cool technical edge, reminiscent of the likes of early Coroner who were growing around the same time, only over the other side of the Atlantic. For a second demo, it really sounds like Aftermath had developed a sound embracing their influences extremely well.

The bands recent re-forming has also had them embrace the world of social media, and they can now be found loitering the all familiar realm of facebook, as they look to spread their music on a format that was never around when it was wrote. Hopefully rekindling their old audience, and growing to introduce it to a younger one, that may have not heard them before. Whichever you may be, you can find the band here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aftermath/166697546694163 The band are yet to announce the details on their booked dates, but I should imagine all will be coming soon enough on their 2015 run of shows. If you happen to live in or around Chicago, or some undisclosed area of Germany, you may well be in luck! Either way, give that page a like, and help support old veterans looking to rise once again.

Aftermath is:

Kyriakos "Charlie" Tsiolis - Vocals
Steve Sacco - Guitar
John Lovette - Guitar
Ray Schmidt - Drums
Adam - Bass

Solitary - I Promise To Thrash Forever [Live Album] [2014]

 
Formed a good 20 years ago in a small town called Preston, Solitar certainly know the ropes when it comes to the process of being in a band. Racking up numerous releases and countless shows in the two decades they've been together. And bringing together their history is this live album, aptly titled 'I Promise To Thrash Forever'. A collection of the bands choice cuts from their discography, not just put together in an album, but performed live in concert.

Kicking in with particularly heavy intro of 'Spineless', you notice immediately that the band have set them self apart from most other Thrash in their choice of tuning. The particularly chuggy, heavy riffing hinting at a setup a little lower that the E or D# tunings of most Thrash bands. The riffs throughout the track maintain this theme of keeping the heaviness flowing at a good constant rate, without really tiring themselves out, and the introduce of some harmony and lead work really helps break up the song and balance it well.

Next came the suprising addition of a cover of none other than 'Into The Pit' by legendary Bay-Area Thrashers Testament. The inclusion of a cover so early on was something that threw me off quite a bit. As unexpected places to put a cover go, second is only just ahead of first in that respect. But despite it feeling like a strange decision to follow up the opening track in this way, the cover is executed well, even if feeling a tad slower than the original in parts.

It was honestly not until the third track 'Predator' that I actually realised that the album was recorded live. And that's some massive props to Solitary for that, because if it wasn't for the little interludes between songs, I would of actually never of known! The music is so flawlessly performed and produced up to now, that it sounds like a studio effort by any standards. The track again returns to the bands originals, and re-introduces the bands trademark of heavy hitting riffs and drums.



After taking a quick look at the bands info at this point there's a clear influence by the likes of heavier albums such as At The Gates 'Slaughter Of The Soul' and Testaments 'The Gathering'. Something that you can't really miss listening to the album all the way through. The band certainly wear their influences on their shoulder, and let it influence their own music in a good way. Not making for the most original sound, but a good tried and tested one instead.

Continuing the album, you begin to hear more of the same in terms of songwriting style and the ever present heavy riffing. For a Thrash band, Solitary certainly have a very heavy and groove lined edge to their tracks. Certainly most prevelant in tracks like 'The Downward Spiral' and 'Requiem'. My only really criticism at this point comes with the vocals on the album. They're by no means bad, but the lack of a real range from the deep yelling on display can sometimes sound a little bit monotonous in longer vocal sections. The style very much is a trademark of Preston, also being adopted by the likes of Chris Astley of Xentrix. And it's something that certainly fits the accent well, coming across clear and powerful. But a little more range to vary things here and there sounds like it certainly wouldn't go a miss.

Overall, the album is a great collection of tracks spanning Solitarys twenty year history. The band certainly will have more success targeting fans of a heavier persuasion, but the album is accessible enough to all with any real interest in Metal. If I had to recommend any tracks from the album as personal favourites, I really loved the speedy edge to 'Unidentified' and the crushing stab of 'Predator'.

The band currently have the album for sale on their website, just click here to be took right to it. It's available on CD at the rather low, low price of £2.99. And even comes with a free download code for your immediate listening pleasure. Be sure to pick it up if you're a fan of good heavy Thrash.

Click here to go to the bands site, where you can purchase the album.

Solitary is:
Richard Sherrington - Vocals/ Guitar
Roy Miller- Drums
Andy Mellor - Lead Guitar
Ren Robinson - Bass

Thrashin' like it's '86... Still?!

Ever since Thrash reared it's gnarly head in the early '80's, it's continued to grow to be one of metals key genres. Despite the slump brought on by grunge in the '90's, becoming the teenagers poison of choice . it's continued it's presence in metal with a revival of sorts, starting towards the start of the century. And very much in the bane of it's '80's ancestors.

Spawning from the aggression and speed of the likes of Exodus, Kreator and Slayer. Many of the younger bands are considered the 'little brothers' of their musical influences. And it's something that is definitely picked up on by fans.

'It's like Metallica back when they were good!' Has become the rabid call of fans worldwide, following it's re-growth. And it seems the old school is something that Thrashers are keen to not let go of anytime soon. Although this does lead to one question. Is Thrash Metal stagnating?

To many ends, those who know their Thrash Metal alphabet, and are widely versed in the genre, will surely agree. That the 're-Thrash' era is a reincarnation of its heyday. And that originality lies low on the list of priorities. But is it a true pining for the past that lies as the course? Or a genuine lack of direction for new bands to take?

With the rather underground offerings of the likes of Coroner, Watchtower and Voivod covering the technical edge. Bands like Demolition Hammer hammering in the heavy. And Dark Angel and Exodus pushing the boundaries of speed. It's hard for new bands to find a niche to really call there own, and develop uniquely. Many new bands instead opting to continue the heritage in a less than subtle nod to the past. This, to some ends, is a real hint at the halt in progression that Thrash is facing at the moment. With even bands that are said to be moving it forward, such as Vektor, having that very familiar Voivod seasoning to the sound. Although granted, in a very good way. It does seem like it leaves a full gone conclusion on The genre being stamped as stagnant. Although looking at it from a different perspective, all is changed.

Sure the originality of the new school has took a back seat. But looking at what fans want, it quickly becomes apparent that it's not really that as to what they are craving. The hi-top, denim kutte, skinny jean masses, instead are voting in the favour of tradition to keep the scene they love alive. And when it comes down to it, it's the fans obvious comitment to the genres preservation that keeps it how it is. Not stagnating, but instead thriving on its past success in a new era.

You only have to look around at the current home-grown events like Full Thrash Assault and Thrashoholic, and DIY gigs, by fans for fans, on show. And there is all the evidence you need to see that the scene isn't stagnant in anyway. But simply returning to its roots. Unspoilt by it's mainstream growth, commercial gain and rock star excess. The new thrashers of today are instead embracing the feel of Kill 'Em All Metallica,

Pisses off Mustaine and bowl cut Tom Angelripper. And just not giving a fuck! Now get me a beer, Exodus are in in 5!