EP REVIEW: Decade Of Decimation – Shrapnel

Thrash has been coursing through the veins of the metal world for many a decade now and whilst predominantly originating in the United States, Europe has held its own. A shining example of this the UK’s own SHRAPNEL who burst onto the scene with their razor-sharp No Saviours EP back in 2009. As they have now approached the fabled 10 year milestone as a band the Norwich based outfit have chosen to celebrate this occasion with some re-recordings of classic material in the form of Decade Of Decimation which is available now via Candlelight Records. Who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia?

Warhead comes thundering in with machine gun-like drumming and enticing layered riffing which feels just as fresh as its original debut. The face melting shredding and rapid intensity show exactly why SHRAPNEL have become a household name in the UK thrash metal scene. Rider Of Black continues the tempo with a galloping groove of addictive riffing. Impressive solo work follows neatly wrapped up with an ear piercing dive bomb.

No Saviours is the ideal depiction of thrash metal. Short, sharp and clinical. The catchy pace and unrelenting fury are exactly the kind of qualities which have brought SHRAPNEL their notoriety. As well as a walk down memory lane we are welcomed with a brand new offering in the form of Live Vindictive which could have easily been cut from the same cloth. It’s frenetic fretwork and rampaging drumming alongside the signature raspy vocals prove to be an effective taster of what may be due to come in the future.

Whilst this EP is, for the most part, designed to be an opportunity to reminisce it has also provided the opportunity to display how timeless thrash metal can be when it is executed so efficiently. SHRAPNEL may not be as highly regarded as some of their counterparts but their drive and work ethic should be applauded and for some of the younger generation who are just donning their battle jackets and growing their hair Decade Of Decimation is the ideal array of tracks to add to your collection.

Rating: 8/10

Decade Of Decimation is out now via Candlelight Records. 

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