Californian thrashers ‘Apothesary’ were formed in 2009 and in the same year released their first EP “The Unthinking Masses’ then in 2010 they released another EP. In 2011 a demo called “The Hollywood Tapes” was released. Three years in and they’re finally on their first album “A Harsh Reality”…. Harsh? We shall see…
‘Order 66’ the intro track comes in with a mix of thrashy drumming and almost death metal style guitar riffs. The only sign of vocals on this one is toward the middle section with a small growl. ‘Acolyte’ starts abruptly yet makes up for it with the almost comedy style vocals, sounds like an evil gremlin. Fitting though! The bouncy part just under 2 minutes in is catchy and the drumming, even though simple is superb! The solo not the best I’ve heard but still effective. ‘Passage Beyond Thought’ isn’t a very strong track, the drumming seems a little dull and the vocals on this one sound quite boring and droney. ‘The Unthinking Masses’ at first sounds like the previous track. Thankfully however, it changes into something faster and brutal! The guitars are all over the place, the drumming on fire and the vocals much more in your face…. utter mayhem!
‘American Rust’ is a track that stands out more than the others due to the blackened metal vocals and music style but then changes when the chorus pops up into something quite pop-metal. Not impressed as the rest of the track is quite awesome! Shame really! The intro to ‘Trials’ reminds me of a spooky music box then seconds later it blasts into something quite special. A vocal dual between high punky growls and deep death growls argue amongst each other whilst the raunchy facemelting guitar riffs entwine with the bass. And then there’s a mosh pit worthy track in ‘The General’… think Slayer and you’ve hit the nail on the head!
An amazingly beautiful and serene clean guitar intro in ‘To Autumn’ doesn’t even sound like the same band. However, we’re back to the metal in ‘A Harsh Reality’ the vocals are back filthier than ever, screaming and shouting all over the place, get back in the pit lads!
‘Fallen Heroes’ sounds fantastic on the headphones, the thunder in the background and the whispering vocals which then slam you in the face with an insane solo and again with the Slayer sound. I can’t help but want to shout ‘Raining Bloooooooood’.
Moving to the last track ‘Wrath’ is nothing any more special to the rest. Yet again with the same music theme I can see Kerry King rocking out in my mind. Aside from the uncanny resemblance, the track is still quite stunning.
Ok so if you’re a fan of Thrash legends Slayer, you’re probably going to like these. Plus if it’s cheaper seeing these than Slayer…. well that’s a win isn’t it!!
Not a bad first album, but the next one lads, a little bit more originality?
(6/10 Charlene Rance)
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