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KEEPTOR
Robots Of Death EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 7/10

São Paulo is the setting once again for the ferocious return of dynamic Brazilian thrash posse Keeptor. Robots Of Death is the second EP from the five-piece who successfully blend the speed of old Slayer and Nuclear Assault with the hardcore spit and feel of D.R.I., particularly in the vocal rants of Lucas Aímola.

I really like this four-track EP and its crossover flavours. From the off, with the title track, there’s a real spite to the guitar tone as the band races heartily to provide an authentic late 80s thrash style. There’s melody in the guitar tone; it’s not mere generic blazing but it does remain steadfast too. The band effortlessly flits between seething, zipping speed and slower moshing chugs, so it’s only natural that D.R.I.’s 1988 classic 4 Of A Kind opus springs to mind but with that extra Slayer-esque vibe where the lead work cannot be ignored either.

It’s great to hear a thrash record that doesn’t just set out to be fast and deliver nothing else. Instead, Robots Of Death brings numerous levels of aggression fuelled by gang chants, particularly at the end of that title cut. Meanwhile, the razor riffing expressed on ‘Programmed Decay’ is equally thrilling alongside the snappy percussion, bass and the vocal retorts.

The EP has definitely got a strong hardcore flavour, a streetwise attitude and spring in its step without appearing too goofy or Ed Repka-obsessed in its typically toxic or zombified art – something which is making the scene exceptionally generic.

Both ‘Together For Eternity’ and ‘The Emptiness Of A Broken Soul’ exhibit the maturity of the band, the latter showcasing a Vio-lence-type of sneering exuberance. But for anyone who likes San Francisco Bay Area aggression mixed with crossover surges is going to latch onto this. My only gripe is that the four songs are a fraction too long. Guys, snip them down a little for that snappy attack. Hopefully a debut full-length album will follow soon.

Neil Arnold

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