One of the metal subgenres that can be praised for food-for-thought lyrics is thrash metal; this goes beyond musical taste – it’s an undeniable truth. The very birth of thrash metal has been meant as an underground movement against the system and the US social situation of the 80’s. It stood against conservatism, puritanism, censure, corruption and hypocrisy. It was ground-breaking and expressed anti-war, anti-conformist and anti-institutional ideas with a profound distaste for reduced social reflexes and political apathy.
Apathy leads to atrophy.
And that hasn’t changed – the current world situation systematically cultivates apathy while at the same time pushes for violence, often orchestrated by very dubious motivators. To have apathy and violence sharing the same sponsors is a VERY dangerous combination.
So, yes, all the reasons still exist for good old-school thrash stick-it-to-the-man metal!
We still desire the deconstruction of the American dream but we certainly won’t have it in the way of January 6 United States Capitol attack – that’s why we also still need bands like ATROPHY, skilled and daring enough to shout it out and loud for all of us!
“A sick society
A product of our disease
We’re a product of our disease
A victim of the corporate greed
The corporate greed
Another victim
Living the American dream”
Vocalist Brian Zimmerman is the only remaining member of the old Arizona gang as he decided to part ways with his bandmates after their European tour ending shortly due to COVID-19 restrictions. Together with Nathan Montalvo (lead guitar), Mark Coglan (rhythm guitar), Josh Gibbs (bass) and Jonas Shόtz (drums), he re-formed ATROPHY and now the band is making the ABSOLUTE RETURN, bringing out their third album after 34 years; it’s titled “Asylum” and it’s the epitome of how thrash metal should be played, how it should sound and what on earth is ALL about it!
“High Anxiety” and “Seeds of Sorrow” offer some relentless pounding of sharp, fast riffs and catchy choruses, “The Apostle” and “Distortion” are true groovy hailstorms, “Bleeding Out” showcases an unbelievable display of guitar soloing; my own favorites are “Close My Eyes” and “Five Minuted ‘Till Suicide” and I think that together with “Punishment for All” can stand out as the album’s highlights.
“Asylum” is nothing less than aggression, speed and technicality combined with seriously caustic and meaningful lyrics about social turmoil and inner struggles; a painfully honest cry out about people trapped in a daily life labyrinth without exits, strangled by problems and struggling to live their lives.
This is ATROPHY, the real deal, don’t you have any doubts! You will not miss the gutty vocals, the shredding and the solos, the insane bass lines and the overpowering drumming. Guest musicians that participate are Kragen Lum of HEATHEN and PSYCHOSIS (lead guitar on “American Dream”) and Justin Stear (bass on “American Dream”, “Close My Eyes” and “Distortion”).
Although coming after so many years of recording absence, “Asylum” seems like the natural evolution of “Socialized Hate” and “Violent by Nature”, another MONUMENTAL album to be added to these two 80’s gems of furious heaviness!
If you’re into thrash metal, don’t miss it.
“Asylum” will be released on March 15th by Massacre Records on CD and limited Red Vinyl LP.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order both CD and limited LP here.
