Genre: Thrash Metal
Label: Back On Black
Release Date : October 21st 2022
Links: https://www.facebook.com/hydravein/
Line Up:
James Manley-Bird – Vocals
Henry Pol – Guitar
Jonas Voorspoels – Guitar
Danny Ranger – Guitar
Damon Maddison – Bass
Jon Den Buitlaas – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Khuylo
2 – Does The End Justify The Means
3 – Unlamented
4 – Eradication Zone
5 – Age Of Plague
6 – Blood Eagle Dawn
7 – Blue Lamp
8 – Mano A Mano
9 – Twilight
Hydra Vein is originally from Brighton and is now happily ensconced in Holland. They decided to reform in 2019 and it’s been 33 years since their last release, ‘After The Dream’. What prompted them to return I don’t know but I’m glad they have because this is a raging beast of an album.
Kicking off with ‘Khuylo’ a 53-second thrashing warm up they get right into ‘Does The End Justify The Means’ which is big chunky and aggressive with a great chorus then we get the title track which kicks things up a notch before ‘Eradication Zone’ slows it down a pace. ‘Age Of Plague’ gets going again on a vicious donkey ride of classic UK thrash with some blinding lead work from the three guitarists Henry Pol, Jonas Voorspoels, and Danny Ranger. ‘Blood Eagle Dawn’ is a jagged bouncer with some razor-sharp riffage and is bound to get a pit going then things get groovy on the massive ‘Blue Lamp’ (Dixon Of Dock Green wouldn’t approve!). ‘Mano A Mano’ is a monster groover and proper heavy then the final cut ‘Twilight’ brings back the old school thrash in fine style.
Has it been worth the wait? Hell yeah!
Old school, in-your-face, punch-up thrash metal. Loud, fast, and aggressive. That’s the bits I like! It’s all here like it was 33 years ago. Please don’t leave it so long next time, not when it’s as good as this.
Score: 8/10
Reviewed by: Smudge
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