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FINAL SUMMON
Paralyzed Reality

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 7/10

There’s no doubting the very strong Slayer influence here as this Los Angeles act delivers its debut full-length outing, but it’s a homage I can accept when executed correctly.

Final Summon is a trio consisting of Parth Shah (vocals and guitar), Yash Gokhale (guitar) and Aniket Shenoy (drums). It’s difficult to believe the band started off as a bedroom project but I’m sure they’ll be known on the live circuit very soon, especially if the stage presence can back the velocity exhibited on this nine-track release.

Firstly, I like the varying tempos the opus has to offer, like on ‘Entropy: Annihilation’, whereby the band becomes a very concise mid-tempo thrash unit. However, when the aggression takes over that’s when the Slayer influences comes to light. But it’s not totally mimicry. After all, it seems only natural nowadays that over 90% of bands around will be influenced by known thrash acts from the 80s. The vocal style does have that Tom Araya vibe, as do the melodies, but Shah does have a slightly different level to the Slayer frontman and brings a more subtle grit to his range.

The only time the band sounds slightly awkward in its delivery is with ‘Chariot Of Death’ where the vocals are a bit too “jerky” for my liking. But musically the whole album makes for a riveting listen with those slower, menacing chugs and catchier hooks, like on ‘Decrypt’ with its pulsating riff and percussion, while ‘Instigator Of Chaos’ brings a more fearsome chuggery.

I do hope that with maturity Final Summon will move away from the Slayer grind and try to find a different formula, because they clearly have so much more to offer. At times it feels as if the band finds a cool little melody but then can’t help but resort to a familiar Slayer vibe.

My advice to the guys is try something new with the vocal chops and you could be on to a winner. This is still a solid thrash metal outing, but the Slayer aping at such a consistent level is unnecessary.

Neil Arnold

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