Casket (2009)

(…)Drawing from Pantera, Metallica and Sepultura, the band have a modern vibe of Thrash and Hardcore (…) helped by inspiration from (…) Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God and Municipal Waste(…)

…says the promo flyer for the British, decidedly Thrash Metal outfit Terrathorn (very cool name, by the way). They play interesting, fairly original music, kind of cross of DRI and “Kill ’Em All”-era Metallica, with some cool hooks and melodies that may remind of Iron Maiden or Megadeth. I do indeed hear some Pantera, along with Exodus and Testament. The third song, “Turn Off” reminds me also of Slayer (back when they were actually good).

Terrathorn has a very original sound (as in production); the guitars are thick and most of the riffs I can’t attribute to any of the aforementioned bands’ albums. To the band’s credit, bass is present and audible, a rarity in modern metal productions.

Songs are mostly built around one domineering riff, with a variation in the main chorus, kind of like Metallica’s “Creeping Death”. This adds to the catchiness and flow of the album. The second part of the 8-song CD is more melodic than the first, for some reason.

For a UK band these guys sound very American, that is until you listen to the voice over in the first track: unmistakably England, which is kind of funny next to the tough guy, Phil Anselmosque bellows of the vocalist. They open for SSS, which, in my opinion should open for them.

Too bad that in “Last Breath” a very good Megatallica song (you like that?), the main riff is that “Bad Seed” (Metallica, “Load”) / “Prince of Darkness” (Megadeth, “Risk”) chugga-chug-chug invented by Corrosion of Conformity on “Wiseblood”, and subsequently ripped off by Metallica, Megadeth and now Terrathorn. I wonder where the chain of custody ends? Still, it’s one of the best tracks on the album. It has a very cool, original breakdown in the middle, Dimebag would have been proud to have written himself.

Another stand out, and my favourite song on “Acquire, Dominate, Destroy” is “Unit (no.7)”. I would suggest using it as a template for the next album, you might be onto something special here, guys. A little more melody, hooks and variation would also be a great idea for the follow-up. Especially vocals could use some improvement: it sounds like the same vocal line is used in almost every song.

 If you’re into 80s Bay Area Thrash, give these guys a try. “Acquire, Dominate, Destroy” is Terrathorn’s debut album.

www.myspace.com/terrathorn
www.coprorecords.co.uk

Composed by Dethster4life