LOST SOCIETY
Terror Hungry
Nuclear Blast (2014)
Rating: 6.5/10
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Considering the amount of modern thrash bands hell bent on bringing back the 80s sound, I actually found myself partly riveted by Lost Society’s 2013 debut opus, Fast Loud Death. It was a riotous chunk of Finnish thrash featuring speedy rhythms, generic gang shouts, and rasping vocals that entertained in small doses but remained a touch more effective than some of the formulaic releases doing the rounds.
So, I now welcome the second album from this quartet who I’m pleased to say has kept their sound furious, fast and energetic and thankfully interwoven with some superb solos and Samy Elbanna’s enthusiastic vocal shouts.
I said it last time and I’ll say it again, these guys will no doubt appeal to fans of Anthrax – there are some excellent grooves strewn about this album (ie ‘Attaxic’) and also the crossover strains of Suicidal Tendencies. Yep, this is another lethal injection of pure thrash metal that keeps the tempo up from beginning to end, with the chugging intensity of ‘Game Over’ just as potent as the album’s tail end which features such moshing monstrosities as ‘Mosh It Up’ and an intriguing cover of Twisted Sister’s ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll’ (included as a bonus track), which somehow works as a thrash workout.
It could be argued of course that Lost Society are “just another modern thrash band” – and I’d totally agree. So, do we really need more of this kind of act jumping on the revival bandwagon? Well, not really because nearly every one of the relatively new thrash bands I’ve heard pales in comparison quite considerably with the heroes of yesterday. But if, and it’s a big if, I had to pick a handful of current bands as being those who have flown the 80s flag with decency, then Lost Society would be among them.
Despite the frantic nature of this record, however, this is pretty much harmless metal that has speed metal insanity as its main ingredient – the riffs are delivered like bolts of lightning and the drums clatter at quite a pace – although there are the occasional injections of formulaic chuggernaut ecstasy, more so in the Anthrax-inspired ‘Tyrant Takeover’ which also hints at the maniacal sway of Exodus – past and present. Even so, ‘Tyrant Takeover’ is Lost Society at their most engaging, melting together some spitting ferocity and sporadic slower menace. Meanwhile, ‘Overdosed Brain’ appears to have more in common with Pantera with its bruising melody and groove-based anger and rawness.
Other highlights of this record are ‘Thrashed Reality’ and the skull-crushing ‘Brewtal Awakening’, but when all is said and done this is still rather predictable thrash metal that lacks variety. However, with its occasional sprig of humour and beer-influenced anarchy, Terror Hungry is still an hysterical episode of contemporary thrash that should prove enough entertainment to see you through until the end.
Neil Arnold
