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HORROR
Horror

Self-released (2024)
Rating: 7/10

Originally formed in 2018, Hudson, New Hampshire-based death thrashers Horror finally issue their debut full-length album. The cover is the epitome of a more modern death metal opus, but what makes it unique is the fact it was painted with actual blood by French extreme artist Maxime Taccardi.

The visually striking sleeve doesn’t necessarily match the music because I was expecting something deep, guttural and sick, but instead I was pleasantly surprised by something that sneers with a melodic black metal tone, especially in the vocals. Musically, there are numerous influences such as Carcass via their 1993 Heartwork album alongside flashes of Children Of Bodom, hints of Slayer and sprigs of Dark Funeral.

At times the instrumentation is quite light on its feet (‘Necromancer’), sometimes technical (‘Compelled To Kill’) and also groove related (‘Black Widow’), so you get an interesting and crisp mix of styles within a relatively mild yet serrated thrash framework.

‘Exorcist’ is abrasive and dissonant in its tone, building steadily with a spine reminiscent of some of the second wave of black metal bands in its frostiness. Meanwhile, ‘Agony’ spirals like a seething, tight example of tech thrash as vocally the shift is towards Vektor.

To an extent, ‘Nuke The World’ epitomises the Horror sound, groove based and scowling but never quite reaching anything crushing or overtly aggressive. Even so, this is an engaging composition that’s instant and interesting and will no doubt appeal to many.

Neil Arnold

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