It’s far from everybody’s cup of tea, but Visceral Attack’s debut album ‘Quick and Severe’ has put the band on the thrash metal map. The quintet based between Belfast and Fermanagh have already gigged with thrash giants Gama Bomb and Municipal Waste and established themselves as a hot prospect on the metal scene. Although initially recorded in 2010, the album has been rereleased under independent Belfast label Punkarama Records and the band are off on a tour of England and Scotland to promote their debut effort.
This album should be played loud. From the first explosion of noise the pace is relentless. As you might expect from a thrash metal band there’s double kick drums, screaming guitars and spitting vocals. But it’s far from being noise for the sake of it. There’s craft in the writing, intelligence in the lyrics and an energy and enthusiasm that pours from the speakers. It’s hard not to tap your foot, impossibly trying to keep up with Tom Gallagher’s kick drum, and want to go a bit mental. Although certainly a thrash band, it’s hard to miss the heavy punk influence in Visceral Attack. This album and every song on it is the by product of a reaction. As if it wasn’t obvious from song titles like ‘Enjoy Your Stay at Guantanamo Bay,’ ‘The United States of Europe,’ and ‘Money in the Bank,’ this is a band with plenty to say on current affairs. Even if you don’t agree with the sentiment, it’s hard not to enjoy the sheer rawness of the overall sound. Instead of hiding behind metaphor and indirect lyrics, the statement is out there for all to hear and it’s the honesty and clarity permeating through the cacophony of guitar and drums that makes you want to keep listening, just to hear what they might say next.
‘Quick and Severe’ isn’t too heavily political as the band allow their humour to shine with excerpts from poorly worded political speeches and a closing bonus track Phone Jacker would be proud of! It’s a far cry from this reviewer’s staple of classic and modern rock bands, but ‘Quick and Severe’ does what it says on the tin. Each of the twelve tracks is quick but their impact is severe. An excellent debut album from a band that is likely to go far on the thrash metal scene.
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