Eradikated - Descendants - Metal Epidemic

Eradikated – Descendants
Release Date: 6th October 2023
Label: Indie Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Thrash
FFO: Slayer, Exodus, Metallica (83 to 86), Megadeth (to name four).
Review By: Mark Young

And now some Swedish Thrash!! This is the first from Eradikated, the band re-born from The Generations Army following a change in direction whilst keeping the same members. Their aim was to release an album where you would sit and consume in one sitting, so the whole is considered as opposed to individual tracks. This I like, an album put together that isn’t a concept, but rather one where the order has been selected so that they flow into one another.

We know that Thrash as a musical genre has been around forever and although there were times when I thought it would disappear (notable legacy bands notwithstanding) the light never went out and now there is a resurgence in hyper-fast riffs without resorting to super low guitars or vocals that resemble someone choking to death.

Eradikated have set themselves up with a release that takes the genre and makes it sound fresh again. The production is spot on, guitars and drums sound bold and on point. You can hear certain bands in there where they echo the classic Thrash period of the mid-80s, but don’t rehash a sound or method of attack. They aren’t setting out to be the next Slayer, or Megadeth but to be themselves and I think that going into this you need to listen to it on those terms. They are aware of the past but have written an album for now and although there are definite nods to Slayer, Exodus amongst others. It’s done in a way that those bands did whilst listening to Iron Maiden, Deep Purple and Motorhead. Curating the best bits, losing the chaff and just giving you pure thrash.

Starting with Unleash, this is an 11-track blast, each one dripping with the right stuff, solo’s, key changes, cymbal taps (you will know it as soon as you hear it) those trademark harmony riffs that when done right bring a smile. Drought is a cracking example, Dead Heaven another.

I’ll end this review with the following observation. If you love Thrash metal, you will love this. It’s that simple. Even if you are too cool for this, favouring technical wizardry or detuned guitars whilst vocals are whispered until they get loud, well you probably won’t like it, you may find it derivative and old hat. But I defy anyone to listen to album closer Coffin and not get excited by this. Give it a go, don’t pen yourself into one genre just because mates don’t listen to it.