PAINCRAZE - review added 18th June 2009
Album Review: Hellbound (2009)
For fans of: Thrash... and a hint or two of Slayer
Paincraze are a Swedish thrash metal outfit following hot in the footsteps of bands like Slayer and, er, Slayer. To be honest, they really do sound like the Californian 4-piece. Scary thing is this is arguably better than Kerry King et al's more recent work
At the time of recording, Paincraze consisted of Göran Nyström (vocals), Mikael Wennstig (guitar), Jon Pedersén (lead guitar), Niklas Linnes (bass) and Tom Åsvold (drums). The sound, as mentioned, is like Slayer although it's often a considerably slower more grinding version. There are melodies galore hidden in the tracks too. Hellbound isn't just about noise. It's about noise that charms you into a false sense of security before unleashing the apocalypse on your sorry behind.
Opening track 'Napalm' has Reign In Blood written all over it. The tonal quality isn't as carnal as the original but, especially when you hear Göran Nyström's Araya-esque vocal screams, the song could have originated from the same recording sessions.
'Black Day' has more of an individual sound. It starts with a weapons-grade guitar riff before launching into a mid-tempo thrashy number. The vocals are hugely characterful and the drums sound sensational, but it's the heavy evil-icious guitars that make the song what it is. 'Vow Of Silence' is as fast as a freight train with no brakes on a steep incline. It all sounds jolly familiar, but there's something innately loveable about the track.
'Hurt' has a strong hint of Southern U.S. rock in its underbelly. A crawling, speaker decimating track, 'Hurt' is a polished modernistic number that adds a nice touch of variety to the album. 'I'm grateful' is a song with amazing guitars and out-of-this-world drumming. It sounds great on record and will undoubtedly sound phenomenal live. It's bloody heavy and funkier than a 70's pimp in flares.
Be in no doubt Hellbound has some amazing moments. A percentage of the album is unoriginal, but the end result is good enough to not warrant a great deal of moaning. If you like a solid slab of thrash with a twist, there isn't a lot better than this around at the moment.
Check out... Er, the Slayer-ness of it all, obviously.
Track List:
01. Napalm
02. Black Day
03. Vow Of Silence
04. Secret Society
05. Hurt
06. No More
07. I'm Grateful
08. So Be It
09. Hellbound
Artist's websites: Paincraze , MySpace
