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ATOMIC TERROR
Disciples Of Darkness

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

This Portland, Oregon-based combo have been on my radar since the release of self-titled 2018 EP. And If, like me, you get bored by “old school” thrash acts like, say, Kreator churning out all too melodic, almost soulless yet anthemic metal then you need to support the underground and bands like Atomic Terror.

There’s some cool raw thrash acts around at the moment and Disciples Of Darkness is one of the best examples. The sound here takes me back to the early Teutonic years as well as the South American scene mixed with the dry, snappy aggression of Sadus and a punk attitude.

Just listen to the punky bass intro on ‘Total Extinction’, which sounds like something ripped from the hazy days of the UK Earache label. But then there are the smorgasbord of wild solos, and the creepy diversity of ‘Night Gallery’ with its simmering and spooky introduction.

Other choice cuts have to be the blazing ‘Dark Lord’ with its odd rhythm and garage-esque lo-fi extremity, the scathing rattle of ‘Injustice And Deceit’, and the fiery kicks of ‘Malicious Evil’.

However, this is no ordinary thrash puke as these guys have tapped into a peculiar corner and conjured their own demons for us to contend with. It reminds me of the first time I heard Hellhammer, or even Celtic Frost and Voivod, a time where I was spooked by the peculiar primitive gurgles which made to feel uncertain by the obscure nature of the bathtub drums and scuzzy bass sound.

Throughout this impressive record there’s always that air of the unpredictable, yet something still devilishly rock ‘n’ roll at its putrid heart. I take my hat off to Thomas Brower (vocals and guitar) and his team for concocting this bizarre basement project of perversity and satanic savagery, because after just one spin I was reliving my memories of being a teenager and thinking I was so evil sitting with my parents at a jacket potato stall with a copy of Slayer’s Show No Mercy under my arm. Atomic Terror gives me similar chills whereby I was unsure if Slayer were just a bunch of kids messing around or genuine masters of their art even though just out of school.

As ‘Dark Lord’ now gets his 13th play I just can’t recommend this primeval little record enough; one that’s sure to garner a cult following in the months after its release. You heard it here first.

Neil Arnold

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