Eradikator
Dystopia
11-Track CD
2011
Eradikator - Birmingham
Links:
Genre: Thrash (with a surprise twist!)
From the
wonderful home of metal – that’s Birmingham (to anyone outside the UK) I bring
you Eradikator. This CD is very
professionally put together and is uncompromising from the front cover to the
actual CD itself.
Although the
cover pic reminds me a lot of the old Magnum covers back in the 80’s (nothing
wrong with that at all!) but very similar indeed. Awesome artwork from Sam
Burley with layout from Alex at Onstage Design, but not surprising as the band
in their own words state they were spawned from 70’s rock and 80s thrash –
something I never got into until about four to five years ago and played by a
local band – somehow local bands do it better than the originals in my book,
but everyone needs some inspiration. I really love the thrash genre now –
better late than never as they say!
A beautifully
crafted booklet inside the front cover reveals some interesting lyrics (always
good to get into the feel of what the band are about and how they write) bonus
of ten there guys :D and a black and white photo of the band in the middle –
nice touch!
It took Eradikator two years after the band had
formed to write this masterpiece. Slow and steady in getting this together but
overwhelmingly speedy in musical content... just how we like it!
Touching on
some varied themes such as political and environmental issues the band also
take on a light hearted approach to their music in true metal head style.
So now let us
get down to some serious thrashing...
Dystopia
A nice fiery
start with prominent drum beat and balanced guitars.
Skeletal Steel
Let the
thrashing commence. Nice thrashing vocals and some very up-beat drumming laced
with strong guitars and a nice chunky bass. Tempo just as it should be – fast!
Hells Sentinels
A nice sinister
opening with plodding rhythm that sneaks in some very chunky guitar and
gravelly but clean vocal. An intriguing breakdown, which incorporate some nice
savage and unrelenting beats.
4 Dark Legions
Glorious fast
paced drumming interlaced with some awe inspiring and very effective guitar.
Vocals are intense and the bass handles nicely bonding the track together with
great fade out ending.
5 Across the sea of black
An epic opening
with some deft fret work. The vocals scream out “Across the sea through a
blackened sky, massacre born on the frontline” I think you can guess what this
track is about. It is menacing and in keeping with the music that surrounds the
lyrics – great track!
6 Overthrow
Brilliant spiky
guitars pour out that thrash tempo with some remarkably good harmonies. The
drums again balanced with superb bass and vocals. My head won’t stay still to
this, and I can imagine a mosh pit forming. Shrieking guitar work brings this
track alive. Very intense and creative this track delivers and then some. My
favourite track so far.
7 The Compound
A very creative
start to this track that builds into a full on frantic assault to the senses. A
typical thrash track! The rhythm grows in intensity and fires blindingly to
pulverise your ear drums. Sophisticated blend of bass and guitar with good
strong vocal content.
8 World of Compulsion
Wow this captivates
the senses – fast furious and sexy! Definitely compulsive listening! Blast
beats galore that assault the listener with unrelenting power. Guitars are
superb and compelling – this track is fierce and then some! That guitar is just
worked to the bone.
9 Judgement before the Throne
Powerful blast
beats bond this track and work well with the strong bass line within. A chanting vocal bring it together with very
technical and again typical thrash elements but none the less charming. Agile
vocals and raw guitar with melodic qualities.
10 Odysseus
Beautiful
strings start and gently drift through the speakers, whut.. I hear you say! Not
thrash sounding at all but a welcome change and quite a surprise. Very 80’s orientated
track with bluesy and dreamy qualities, and very cleverly thrown into the mix. I
certainly was NOT expecting
this. However I think this will be the most played track on the CD for its
sophistication and musical content. I can just lose myself in this track and
emerge refreshed. I really love this track to death. This is really an amazing
instrumental.
11 Utopia
Again another
surprise – well done guys! Acoustic strings transport you back to the 80’s. Another
truly stylish instrumental to end this unusual CD.
This holds
everything power packed, ferocious in places with dreamy and awe inspiring
rhythms. The band was right when they said they never compromise on anything...
I can see that now as this CD draws to a close.
Well rounded
and balanced, uncompromising and very different I have to say that this band
are not just thrash despite the typical thrash elements but they have clearly
shown another side to their creativity by adding the last two tracks to the
mix. I am so glad they left them to the
end and shocked me to death.
Birmingham –
still the home of heavy metal and Eradikator
well on the map for originality.
Track Listing:
Dystopia
Skeletal Steel
Hells Sentinels
Dark Legions
Across the sea of black
Overthrow
The Compound
World of Compulsion
Judgement before the Throne
Odysseus
Utopia
Members:
Pat Cox – Bass/Vocals
Adam MacNeven – Guitar
Liam Priest – Guitar
Jon MacNeven – Drums
