Thrash Metal
Reigning Phoenix Music
Release Date – May 10th 2024
Line Up:
Mark Osegueda – Vocals
Kerry King – Guitar
Phil Demmel – Guitar
Kyle Sanders – Bass
Paul Bostaph – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Diablo
2 – Where I Reign
3 – Residue
4 – Idle Hands
5 – Trophies Of The Tyrant
6 – Crucifixation
7 – Tension
8 – Everything I Hate About You
9 – Toxic
10 – Two Fists
11 – Rage
12 – Shrapnel
13 – From Hell I Rise
Put your asbestos gloves on because it’s here and it’s red hot. Probably the most anticipated metal release of 2024. Slayer comparisons will obviously be met, but who cares? Kerry King was an integral member of Slayer and wrote most of the music, so duh! It’s gonna sound like Slayer.
A two-minute instrumental ‘Diablo’ softens you up for the aural battering to come, and boy does it come on ‘Where I Reign’. Enlisting Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda is a genius move because he definitely brings his ‘A’ game. The music is brutal with both King and ‘go-to’ thrash six-stringer Phil Demmel punching out punishing riffage and white-hot lead breaks. King has also enlisted one of the tightest rhythm sections too, Paul Bostaph and Hellyeah’s Kyle Sanders seriously lay it down. Only the first song and I’m out of breath. It’s a steady start on ‘Residue’, then Osegueda roars and we’re away on a chugging banger that brings some real evil, not exactly thrash but it’s proper heavy. Hold on to your spiky wristbands because ‘Idle Hands’ comes firing out of the speakers as Bostaph leads the way on a proper thrasher that’s GOT to be played live. Osegueda goes from spoken word to a vicious rasp, and the riffs are just relentless. We get another evil chugger on ‘Trophies Of The Tyrant’, then ‘Crucifixation’ brings some more razor-sharp thrash/hardcore – how they keep up the pace for over five minutes is beyond me. ‘Tension’ starts with a creepy intro then flows malevolently into some stunning guitar work before the rabid punk metal of ‘Everything I Hate About You’ says everything you wanted to say to those who have pissed you off! ‘Toxic’ has an air of classic Slayer with those little trills and fills over a rampaging riff before the pure punk of ‘Two Fists.’ ‘Rage’ – does exactly that – and goes flat out from the start so hold on for dear life. ‘Shrapnel’ brings that evil doomy tone that King is renowned for which settles into another chugging beast and a phenomenal performance from Osegueda. The title track finishes things off in fine style with a punchy classic thrasher.
Well, it’s here and for me it has surpassed all expectations. This has got the makings of another ‘Reign In Blood’ – yes, it’s that good! Another masterpiece! The aggression, attitude, and energy just charge out of the speakers and punch you full in the face then give you the kicking of a lifetime – it’s that brutal. Apparently, King has enough material for a second album and once his touring cycle for this one is over, he’s going straight back into the studio. Let’s hope he keeps this band together because there’s something special happening here. I’m off for a lie down in a dark room!
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 10/10
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