‘Crimes Against Humanity’ is this North Carolinian quartet’s debut album, having been preceded by by just one demo in 2011. For a new band, the press release certainly sets them up in distinguished fashion, drawing parallels with such luminaries as Onslaught, Demolition Hammer, and the general Bay Area thrash scene. What particularly drew me to reviewing this was that mention of Demolition Hammer, whose first two albums were exemplary statements of manic death-thrash metal. As it goes, Eugenic Death don’t quite live up to that skull-fracturing comparison but they are indeed metal thrashing mad.

The mention of Onslaught, and specifically the Bay Area Scene, does hold more musical weight. From the opening bars of ‘Crimes Against Humanity’, reminiscences of Metallica and Slayer’s earliest efforts are evoked. Perhaps the greatest departure from that blueprint – and perhaps where the deathlier comparison came from – is the vocal styling, which is certainly more informed by the gruff vocals of early death metal (thinking along the lines of Paul Speckmann…) than the banshee wailing of some authentic 80s thrash groups. As the fret carnage unfolds, some nods toward other originators like Exodus, Destruction and Testament are also discernible; rendering a severe headbang attack more than likely. Audible bass work, varied drum patterns and occasional bursts of raging solo do all they can to further metalize the listener. Speaking of which, by track three I’m greatly reminded of those Hellbangers Moselfranken, Desaster, although (quite understandably) Eugenic Death don’t reach the same heights of divine blasphemy as those black-thrash veterans.

The seven tracks largely play out in orthodox, frantic fashion, with compositions like ‘The Devil Waits’ and ‘Plagued By Ignorance’ embodying this. On the other hand, album closers ‘Epitaph’ and ‘The Practice’ do incorporate some more melodic and considered aspects: the former, instrumental, with a slightly moribund opening three minutes of solo flagellation courtesy of Iced Earth guest Troy Seele; and the latter, with a malicious intro which morphs into Metallica ‘Whiplash’ territory. Musically then, there is nothing to complain about. However, in the past years’ seeming context of thrash revival (which I’m not remotely au fait with) I’m not sure exactly where a band like Eugenic Death fits in, or indeed, how many other equally capable bands there are doing this stuff. All I can say is that aside from a production which obviously has its limitations, this band thrashes more than admirably. Original? No. Good? Yes. Whilst their ‘ultra-controversial’ name and sexually frustrated (read: dumb) cover art might be wide of the mark for me, the rest is pretty darn enjoyable.

 (7/10 Jamie Wilson)

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