Reaper – Rebirth Of Chaos
Release Date: 29th October 2021
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: (Progressive) Thrash, Speed Metal.
FFO: Municipal Waste, HAVOK, Acid Reign, Shrapnel, Dust Bolt.
Review By: Jordan Burton-Morris
Rebirth Of Chaos is an assault of a relentless and aggressive modern take on traditional thrash, with groove, melody and riffage. Sharp riffs blend with tight drumming, power vocals lead and attack, from the off, you know what you’re dealing with. There’s no messing about, you can hear nods to their contemporaries of the bay area and the advancements of the genre with speed, groove and a bit of party thrown in for good measure.
Rebirth Of Chaos is the reimagining of the original Birth Of Chaos, released in 2018. The album starts off with an acoustic riff on opener Possesor Of Evil, which soon leads into the onslaught of Reaper, thrashing hard.
The shortest track, Wartorn, is my personal favourite. Very Municipal Waste-esque. World At Redemption starts with a heavy drum fill, which sets the tone for the track alone. Amazing drumming on this one.
The Crypt. Best vocals on the album. Hands down. The way Moran rides the notes is stupendous.
Track 5, the midpoint, Entropy features a heavy chorus and an amazing array of skills in the solo. My word. Solo? Or should I say solos? There are multiple that feed off of the energy created on this track, showing off their best skills.
Track 6 starts the second half of the album. Wings Of Darkness. It starts with an audience applause, and then descends into a short commentary, before the guitars kick in and blow your face off. Checkmate has a nice intricate intro riff which instantly immerses you and makes you anticipate what is yet to come. Another very good vocal performance here. Area 51 starts off ominously, with sci-fi type sounds. Around 45 seconds in, an amazing bassline begins to play, and it’s a bassline alright. Thunderous and thrashing. Insane
The penultimate track, Sixth Circle Of Hell has a very nice melodic intro I must say, then the thrash ensues. It’s faster than some of the others, but that’s not a bad thing at all, it rocks!
Finally, album closer The Way Of The Shinobi sounds like 1986 Metallica and Slayer had a lovechild and called it Reaper. This is one for all old school thrash fans.
Overall, this album thrashes hard… just like it did in 2018. Sure, it’s sharpened here, but it was an unnecessary release. Still, it’s a very good album and recommended to all thrash fans, especially those of the modern persuasion.
(4 / 5)
