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ALGEBRA
Feed The Ego

Unspeakable Axe (2014)
Rating: 7/10

When I saw the band name and the title of this record, I was wondering if I was in for a rather contemporary, if somewhat bland affair of bewildering yet cold melody. Thankfully, that is not the case.

Formed in 2008, Algebra is a Swiss band that have passed me by. With a line-up consisting of Chaos Edy (vocals / lead guitar), Phil Void (rhythm guitar), Mat Showman (bass) and Tony Sharp (drums), they’ve released a demo (2008), an EP (Procreation, 2009), a debut full-length offering in Polymorph (2012) and now this intriguing opus.

Now, before you attempt to pass this off as just another overtly clever, self-indulgent affair, think again. In fact, Algebra is a worthy thrash band who will please anyone that is a big fan of Slayer, Sepultura, Coroner etc. This is decent, aggressive, sneering metal that is pacey yet catchy and above all intriguing.

I was drawn to this band via their promotional video for ‘Survival Nowadays’ and although it was clear that there was nothing original going on, I really liked the flavour of the song as it combined the prowess of Sepultura circa Chaos AD (1993) with the ashen arrogance of Coroner. In the vocal snarl there is certainly an air of Max Cavalera (Soulfly / ex-Sepultura), while the music races by with an infectious quality constructed of bruising percussion and a sizzling dose of riffage straight from the Kerry King / Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) camp of belligerence.

Now while I realise that untold number of bands have crafted similar sounds over the last few decades, and further that still today’s thrash metal scene is a bulging mass of same-sounding shite, Algebra have nonetheless just about got things right, rather than just opting for imitation. Okay, so the formula is very much the same as literally every other thash band – breakneck speed then slower, crunchier dabbling thrown together with the usual Slayer breakdowns and Tom Araya-styled frothing spits – but I’m not going to damn the likes of ‘Necessary Evil’, ‘Profound Guilt’, ‘Ego System’ or the raging ‘Monotask’ for their lack of originality when there is clearly a real charm to this chunk of retro thrash.

What we seem to forget is that back in the 80s there were just as many Slayer et al rip-offs as there are now and many of those suffered as they will today, but Algebra have the right production levels, and – like all good thrash bands – aren’t afraid to hint at subtlety to as ‘My Shelf’ sort of fades into earshot like one of those old epic Metallica semi-ballads.

And so, as another thrash album gets added to the growing pile, I hope that as many fall to the wayside like dropping flies – and deservedly so – that Algebra maintain their levels of execution, which should keep them in good stead for years to come.

Neil Arnold

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