ALBUM REVIEW: Unseen Repulsions – Aggravator

Mini-albums are a curious concept: a collection of songs that the band deem too substantial to call an EP, yet not enough to refer to it as a full-length record. For Texan thrashers AGGRAVATOR however, their foray into this territory might be the biggest release of their career to date. Forming in 2008, the band were gaining considerable momentum before lead guitarist Jesse Lopez sadly passed away in 2018. Determined to honour him, the band released his final contributions as a self-titled EP a year later and now take their first steps as a three-piece with Unseen Repulsions, out via Empire Records.

It goes without saying that not every band is going to lose a key member and produce their own equivalent of Back in Black immediately after, so this has to be factored into proceedings. Honestly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if, although AGGRAVATOR signed a two album deal with Empire Records, this release was designed to show the thrash scene and the band’s fanbase that they would still be able to produce the goods they did before tragedy struck.

Subsequently, you could forgive AGGRAVATOR for playing it a little safer on Unseen Repulsions than they usually would. Thankfully, this isn’t the case for the majority of what’s in store; Unseen Repulsions is twenty minutes of classic thrash metal that could have easily been recorded in the mid-1980s, let alone 2021, and the raw production allows the songs to snarl out of the speakers.

The opening title track is quick and unrepentant, following the well-trodden path that bands like SLAYER and VENOM trailblazed nearly forty years ago, but perhaps the biggest moment is the solo, the first from bassist Tristan Hernandez, who took on lead guitar duties from Lopez, and an indication of how AGGRAVATOR have overcome their difficulties. Suffice to say, it rips, and will be of great relief to those who have loved the band since their beginnings thirteen years ago.

Searing Gas Decomposition brings in squealing, MEGADETH-esque riffs with a middle section that favours chunkier guitars over full-on speed, and this is also the case on Bounty Hunter, which is chuggier but no less aggressive. The final track, Seven Swords, is a little more formulaic than the rest and consequently is the weakest song present, but it’s boosted by a Painkiller-style drum and guitar opening that would make JUDAS PRIEST proud.

Considering that three years ago AGGRAVATOR may have ceased to exist, their desire to push on and continue releasing music in the wake of Jesse Lopez‘ passing must be commended. Unseen Repulsions is not a record that reinvents the thrash metal wheel in any sense, but it proves AGGRAVATOR still have plenty left in the tank and can be just as brutal in their new guise. Long may their career continue.

Rating: 6/10

Unseen Repulsions is out now via Empire Records.

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