It was less than a year ago that I was singing the praises of Finland’s Lost Society, with their debut album being filled as it was with youthful exuberance, neck snapping speeds, tenacious song writing and most importantly – fun. Well, still with the aforementioned youthfulness on their side (the majority of them are still teens, so far as I’m aware), they have quickly pulled an impressive sophomore album out of the bag which takes their earlier blueprint of early Megadeth/Exodus thrash purity and remoulded it slightly to create another solo blasting, riff flailing white hot thrasher of an album.
Much like the change in tone of the artwork between their debut and this (with ‘Fast Loud Death’ featuring a comedic grim reaper driven tour bus piece by Ed Repka), ‘Terror Hungry’ has a much darker tone to it musically. Similarly to the change in Megadeth between ‘Killing is my Business..’ and ‘Peace Sells..’, ‘Terror Hungry’ sees Lost Society fully realise their raison d’etre. Marrying the ‘riff feast’ style of thrash which I loved so much in their debut, the added hostility gives the songs that little bit more grit to make sure that your adrenal gland is kept working overtime. Having given this a fair crack of the whip (with a lot of playbacks in the car in particular), I’d say listen with caution when operating vehicles, as you could well inadvertently end up in a hedge (or worse still, some poor bastards front room) before you know it, such is the thrashing mayhem contained within. Either these guys are some ridiculously prolific and talented motherfuckers, or they’ve been stockpiling nuclear riffage from birth because this album is literally packed to the gills with riffs the size of Greenland and a snarling attitude which reminds so much of the thrash glory days.
Cuts such as ‘Overdosed Brain’ do offer a respite from the speed, writhing with a chugging beat laden with squealing solos and whammy bar dives, while ‘Thrashed Reality’ starts off with a very punkish vibe, before snapping under the unbearable strain of thrash. However, its tracks like ‘Game Over’ that see Lost Society at their best, with its manic bassline, gang vocals and masterful spindly, spiderish riffage it simply kicks all kinds of arse. The songs on offer are just a joy to behold, each track brimming with an unperishable enthusiasm and love. Every little intricate riff and cracked drum skin is done with pure fun and fervour in mind and its nigh on impossible not to be sucked in by it.
In an age of bands releasing their umpteenth album of rehashed shite trying to relive the glory days, Lost Society are in a seemingly perpetual state of their own glory days. This is pending them actually bettering themselves with album number three of course (which will be no mean feat). Until then, I guess we’ll just have to get used to them pumping out consistently excellent thrash. I think I can live with that(!).
(8.5/10 Lars Christiansen)
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