Worcester, Massachusetts five piece High Command are the latest in a long line of modern thrash acts who are trying to keep the wild and untamed spirit of its origins alive. Instead of the over-produced efforts from some, High Command have stripped things back, going back to the early-mid 80s in terms of influence, taking the primordial elements which helped create the genre and forged them to suit their needs. So far, there has been a lot of glowing praise for this record, so let’s see if it’s truly worth the words said about it.

Right from the go, this album takes no prisoners. The raw and wild blackened thrash/proto metal surges forwards with no restraints. Venomous vocals are delivered with a scathing tone, guitar and bass gallop and thunder as the drums pound away and you have something very raw and primal in the sound. The opening 1-2 of the title track into “Immortal Savagery” is seamless, just a brief pause after a cymbal crash punctuates the track and the way track two opens up with its pounding and empowering chug it just feels like a phase change or extension of the previous track. The bass rips out some big melodic runs which are just as noticeable as the guitar riffing and the vocals retain that venomous quality to their delivery. It’s a tremendous opening onslaught and it sets the tone well for this album which tells tales of high fantasy inspired warfare and quests.

“Imposing Hammers Of Cold Sorcery” certainly plays up to its name. The haunting clean intro lingers as a howl of feedback brings in an eerie drone which quickly shifts to a fist pumping pounding riff which you wouldn’t be surprised to hear on South Of Heaven. Tightly coiled, almost ready to snap and release the building tension, the track thunders forwards as the atmosphere remains, lingering like an ominous presence as it goes through the gears, teasing at a full-on thrash explosion before it finally lets loose towards the later stages of the track, peaking before descending back into that powerful chug before one last burst after a piercing scream to end as it fades out. The narrative quality of the track’s lyrics and vocal delivery shines on “Omniscient Flail Of Infamy”. With a fantasy-like narrative intro bestowing a quest on the listener, it quickly picks up into a blistering paced bass driven riff before exploding to life. Thunderous in the delivery, the track relentlessly surges forwards through breakneck paced sections and pounding heavy metal chugs. It’s intense and gripping and it shows just what the band can do when the restraints are loosened just a little.

“Fortified By Bloodshed” brings in an ominous Hammond Organ which really adds a lot to the sound. The piercing and haunting organ blasts add an extra layer to the tight riff and bass delivery, nudging in the slight occult flair to the sound which soon turns to the flat-out venomous metal assault we are all used to for the rest of the track. Again, the commanding vocals display is fierce and scathing and the track leaves no room for mercy as it depicts tales of eternal warfare. “Chamber Of Agony” opens with a melancholic acoustic guitar arrangement which is joined by string accompaniment. The rich and haunting melodic air brings an unsettling spell of tranquillity which is short lived as it descends into darkness as the commanding metallic roars begin once again with a fist pumping wall of riffs crashing in. The descending melody over this helps drive up the tension and soon the thrash surfaces. With a massive drum roll and pick slide, the attack begins and it’s another tight display of thrash metal which has twinges of Slayer in their golden period. Atmospheric choir synths add some variety round the 3:30 mark before the big riff and solo section begins. Wailing notes, twisting guitar riffs and a foreboding sense of darkness usher in the final run of the track and before long we hit the penultimate offering; “Siege Warfare”.

The seventh track is seamlessly transitioned too and the rapid-fire riff intro with piercing scream just calls out Slayer’s anthemic Angel Of Death as inspiration here. Fast paced, unrelenting walls of riffs and venomous vocals make up the majority of the track and there isn’t much else to say other than it’s just an all-out thrash attack. Closing the release is the 12 minute long “Spires Of Secartha”. Once again, adding in some narrative effects and gradual building sections, it helps create a big atmosphere which is fitting for a final track. Once again, the barrage of breakneck paced riffing drives things on and whilst there has been little variety in how things have come across for the majority of the tracks, the impact has persisted from start to finish. From NWOBHM inspired gallops to divebombing and wailing leads, it’s all delivered with raw power and plenty of bite. It’s only towards the final quarter of the track where things make a big departure. The tolling of a bell leads to a melancholic melodic composition featuring strings and clean arpeggios much like earlier in the album on the 6th track. This closing refrain serves more as a gentle end compared to an abrupt stop and whilst it might help with the atmospheric feel of the track, it does feel a touch out of place after the blistering metal onslaught preceding it.

In all, High Command have delivered a solid release here. It’s fast, raw and angry, three things which plenty of thrash inspired metal should be. Add in the pseudo black metal influences in the vocal styling and the gratuitous nods to the 80s in the sound and you’ve got a rather decent end product! I can see why some hold this highly, but I feel that the best High Command can offer is yet to come.

(7/10 Fraggle)

https://www.facebook.com/HighCommand

https://highcommandsl.bandcamp.com/album/eclipse-of-the-dual-moons