Righto, I must first admit in the last few years on average I have bought more stoner/doom albums a fortnight then I have bought thrash albums per year. I don’t have any particular reason for this fact apart from the march of time, since I lived as a long haired, skin tight jeans and mullet equipped teenager though the inception of thrash, moshing away to Cliff Burton’s unequalled bass lines; maybe it is because as my 40th birthday becomes an ever more distant memory I just enjoy gigs where I’m not the oldest, greyest, and most out of shape member of the audience? However, every so often a thrash album comes along that makes me wish for my 1980’s heyday of mullet sporting, skin tight jeans wearing, supremacy of thrash metal madness mayhem! Well, it’s now 2013, and the only band that makes me feel this abandoned and responsibility free once again is Ireland’s Gama Bomb!
A few years ago in an episode that destroys any limo and coke image of the music industry I was sharing cheese and onion pasties from a mini variant of a well known supermarket chain with members of Gama Bomb on the pokey high street that represents Prestatyn’s commercial district after a triumphant and pit inducing set at a Hammerfest of years gone by; on that occasion Philly & co mentioned a new album would be arriving soon. Big industry support free, and sadly delayed, here it is. So, is it full of big money pretence, or does it stay true to the bands ethos? Read on folks.
With a slightly modified lineup, Gama Bomb continues to blast forth pretence free thrash based on the classic strictures of two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. This was the formula that was distilled into ‘Survival of the Fastest’ and ‘Tales from the grave in Space,” and is now so successfully developed for 2013 in ‘The Terror Tapes”.
‘The Wrong Stuff’ sets the pace with a surprise free three minutes of old school thrash. ‘Legend of Speed’ descries the comparatively lengthy self indulgence of the first track with a two minute blast fest. By the short time that ‘Backwards Bible’ kicks out, a maelstrom of frantic guitars and Hammer Horror inspired lyrics takes over, the stamp of this album being on display for all. Group vocals, check; screaming guitars, check; twenty syllables a second vocals, check! Don’t expect subtlety, this is a band that fires thrash tracks into the ether like a belt fed metal howitzer, all skilfully merged with retro 80’s metal and movie themed lyrics. Gama Bomb put their style out in the open for all to see, and if you don’t like it, their message is an unmistakeable “piss off!”
This is an album that demands you ignore subtlety and embrace fun. If you’re an old sod like me, be prepared to brace your aging bones for a 1000 megaton nostalgia blast; if you’re young, get ready to embrace this fresh injection of unashamed fun and joy! Either way, Gama Bomb refuses to compromise in their quest for enjoyment! This is an album and band that sounds like they want nothing more then fun for all. In this misery tinged 1st world, who can criticise? You want something new and unheard of before; look elsewhere. You want classy old school thrash played with unmatched energy? Well done, this is your goal!
(7.5/10 Spenny Bullen)
Leave a Reply