RSS Feed


RAZOR
Cycle Of Contempt

Relapse (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

So here it is, one of the most long awaited returns in metal, alongside Vio-lence, only this time it’s Razor. The last time this classic Canadian thrash act recorded an album was in 1997 (Decibels), but that was a period when the metal genre was in a rather confused state of emergency help. And it could be argued that the last great Razor album emerged in 1991 with Open Hostility, which somewhat signalled the end of a prolific run of hazardous waste which trickled out in the mid-80s and become devastatingly deadly by its close.

Razor, in spite of being one of the fastest and best bands within the genre, are still overlooked and so for them to return with original members Dave Carlo (guitar) and Mike Campagnolo (bass) is a joy to behold. It’s also great that vocalist Bob Reid, who first joined in 1989, is back in the fold, while drummer Rider Johnson completes the current line-up.

Cycle Of Contempt is one of those albums I was nervous about reviewing. Anyone with a passion for such a band, especially seeing them grow through the late 80s, knows that those halcyon days can never be repeated and so I had several questions rattling around my skull, such as would they try to sound like they did back then? or would they succumb to modern day techniques and reveal a rather mechanical, watered down and generic opus? Well, thankfully Razor still kicks arse and most importantly, while remaining fresh and vociferous, they’ve maintained that vintage guitar sound.

Reid’s vocals do exactly what you want them to and blast your ears with their gritty, choppy edge, while Carlo’s axe work is just sublime in its execution; sharp in technique and unrelenting. Opening track ‘Flames Of Hatred’ just has that nostalgic roar; zipping profusely like a crazed, razor-wielding criminal slashing at all who comes near. The drums and bass are on point, rampantly jabbing and striking into the depths of ‘Jabroni’ and the manic outbursts of ‘Off My Meds’.

At times there is a distinctive crossover feel and nary a time when the speed relents. ‘A Bitter Pill’ flashes towards Slayer, classic in its battering, while the axe work of ‘Crossed’ acts as a jagged blade ripping through flesh and sawing into bone. It’s the Razor album you wanted, a spiteful, scheming and fizzing expression spouting grit and spitting blades as ‘Setup’ and ‘Punch Your Face In’ explode like aural fireworks. The latter provides more mid-tempo crunch than a majority of other tracks on offer, where again the bass and drums clank with a vigorous attitude and vindictiveness.

The big-hitters are set up like hefty weapons of mass destruction, whether it’s the chugging ‘First Rate Hate’ with its sneering vocal, or the title track with its metallic melodious groove and malicious lyrical spurts. But there’s so much thrash on offer here that it’s hard not to trash the house and unload the garbage cans on the neighbour’s lawn. ‘King Shit’ is rampant, ‘All Fist Fighting’ is maniacally bass-driven and ‘Darkness Falls’ screams with a deadly axe hook to the tandem of percussive slaps, and then we’re in the whirlwind again, whipped into a frenzy and spat out, bloodied, battered and tattered.

My only criticism here is the goofy artwork, all too symbolic of today’s sub-standard thrash goons, so why Razor adhered to such art is beyond me? However, Cycle Of Contempt achieves its aim… the big question is can you handle the return of such violent restitution?

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share