ALBUM REVIEW: Resist Control – Regicide

When an album opens with the rattle of machine gun fire and the wail of an air raid siren, you know there’s not going to be any ballads. True to form, there are no love songs or talk of roses and thorns on Resist Control, but there is a lot of violence. The debut album from Essex thrashers REGICIDE is a nasty, brutal metal record with a snarling, anti-authoritarian edge to it. This is the sort of underground thrash that gets invited to punk gigs and shares pints with DISCHARGE fans, and a promising first barrage from these newcomers.

Now admittedly, the thrash scene is overcrowded at the moment, but REGICIDE do have a couple of advantages that may raise them above the pack. Firstly, they know the name of the King or Queen being murdered, so can press one. Second, and more importantly, they’re not staunch traditionalists. There’s a wealth of rapid fire, pit-ready guitar riffs, but they’re also more than capable of easing into a mid-tempo groove. This lends Resist Control a dirty, southern-fried thrash vibe similar to EXHORDER and sets them apart from the legions worshipping at the altar of the Bay Area.

Case in point; the title track. Sat right smack in the middle of the record, it’s a venomous five-minute burst of aggression that begins with a rhythmic pounding and a darkly upbeat melody, before rattling into some high-speed thrashing reminiscent of POWER TRIP. Halfway through, it transitions into a big, sledgehammer breakdown that becomes progressively slower, before they press hard on the accelerator again and rocket to the ending. It’s unmistakeably thrash, but it feels like the type that wears flannel shirts rather than patch jackets.

Elsewhere, there’s a thinly veiled death metal influence on Dying To Be Liked, some warp speed brutishness on Disposable Crown, and a perpetual sense of confidence and energy. REGICIDE haven’t perfected their combination of old school thrash with 90s groove metal, but they know what their goal is and are powering towards it.

The wild-eyed intensity can be a bit overwhelming at times, a couple of the tracks are overlong and frontman Niall Byrne’s hardcore bark is likely to divide listeners, but for the most part this is a great start to their career. Resist Control is rough and unvarnished and sounds like it came from a world of dilapidated social housing and food banks, but that’s what makes it inviting. It’s thuggish, authentic and enjoyably in-your-face. One or two albums down the line and REGICIDE will hopefully be playing bigger stages.

Rating: 7/10

Resist Control is set for release on July 5th via self-release.

Like REGICIDE on Facebook.