Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe and has some good ties to Ave Noctum thanks to our European based reviewer. So at first I wondered why he hadn’t picked them up but remembering he prefers the blackened kind of metal, it wasn’t his ball park I guess. Needless to say, classic 80’s and 90’s sounding thrash with horror themes lyrically, this would surely right be up our editor’s alley if he wasn’t too busy!
Anyway, enough waffling on, Scarlet Anger are a thrash band who have received praise in their native country and the surrounding areas. With such proximity to Germany, it was inevitable that the Teutonic thrash would have some kind of influence on their sound, but there is also some Bay Aarea influence to it too. The best way to describe this freak show is Teutonic Testament, lots of bouncy groove, lots of riffery and real powerful vocal deliveries across the disc.
Opening up with something straight out of the syllabus of Miskatonic University, “Awakening Of The Elder God” is a call to our dark lord Cthulhu, telling the tale of his rise from the depths to do what he does best – strike fear and terror into everything. With sinister sounding leads, powerful vocal and guitar deliveries over a tight as fuck rhythm section, it really sets the scene well and you can envision the old one rising from the murky waters and unleashing whatever he has in store as this track progresses. From here we progress through a thrash onslaught. With fast paced riffs much like those of Exodus or Dark Angel, “Attack Of The Insidious Invader” claws its way into your head and has you at its mercy. Frantic, raw and chaotic, it is an intense audio assault which really hammers away with its groove and urgency. Taking a trip to “The Haunted Place – House Of Lost Souls” we get some atmospheric work. Swelling guitar fills give the feel of a B-Movie and the steady pace is ominous, the perfect back drop to any horror one would imagine. Twisting riffs, screaming and tortured sounding vocals over a tight rhythmic pulse, it locks you in and makes you live through the terror it tries to convey.
The title track follows next. With “Welcome To The Freak Show” as its name, you would have thought it would open the album but never mind that. Melodic leads and pounding rhythms, tight machine gun burst drums and thundering bass greet us at the start and it begins. A maelstrom of twisting riffs into a slower and sinister setting which slips into a heavy chug friendly chorus makes up the bulk of the song, but the false finish moments are what make it shine. Halfway through it just winds down, almost like it was over before it kicks to life again with a heavier attack, faster riffs and some great fast heavy moments. It works well, but the timing is a little suspect on the part of the false finish. “The Abominable Master Gruesome” has a real epic feel to it. The story telling from the lyrical delivery and melodic leads behind it really gives this song the kick it needs in the right place. It’s groove laden, full of memorable hooks and has excellent dynamics on it, possible contender for track of the release!
“Through The Eyes Of The Sufferer” is a no nonsense thrash attack. Filled with angry chugs, strong vocal roars and simple shifts in pace towards the big moments of the track, it plays out like a Testament track with that thunderous delivery behind it. “The Thing Without A Name” rivals Master Gruesome in terms of epicness. Another powerful delivery of a tortured individual’s story, it is ominous in parts but savagely aggressive in others. Melodic choruses which smash through the track, fuelled by venomous vocal deliveries make this one stand out and again, the dynamics work wonderfully. “On The Road To Salvation” brings the groove laden thrash with some real great tones to the rhythm. Storming pace, raw as hell in the vocal delivery and a subtle shifting pace all make for some great impacts throughout the track, especially in the big chorus moments when it speeds back up with some thunder behind it and some real flashy lead work towards the end of the track.
“The Unbelievable Story” is probably the weakest track of the release. Musically it’s like the rest of the album but lyrically it’s a tad disappointing. For all the pleasure giving melodic lines and progressions used, the lyrics just distract from the delivery and for the penultimate song, whilst it isn’t that good, it at least builds the hype for the final track. “Deadly Red Riding Hood” is thrash 101. Harsh delivery, tricky fills, massive grooves and delivered at rapid speeds, it is a storming track which charges towards the end of this intriguing release. With tight rhythmic precision locking everything in under the cutting lead melodies, it really brings a late 80’s/early 90’s thrash feel to the release and is guaranteed to bring the sea of windmilling headbangers. With plenty of shred to the main solo’s and venom in the brutal vocal delivery, it’s a fitting way to close the release.
On the whole, “Freak Show” is a solid thrash album. It has moments of repetitiveness, something all thrash can suffer with at times, but it is inventive. The more modern approach to the vocals works well with the classic heavy delivery and the lyrical themes are interesting, keeping you hooked at least. It’s worth getting a ticket to see this show
(6.5/10 Fraggle)
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