EP REVIEW: Necronomicon Automaton – Gama Bomb
In a surprising turn of events, Northern Irish thrash metal outfit GAMA BOMB have dropped a short-notice, four song EP; Necronomicon Automaton which is just as fun to say as it is to listen to. Now, a surprise release is always fun and with GAMA BOMB’s latest offering, fun is what they’ve aimed for and achieved instantly. It’s a short, punchy EP that is an explosion of noise that feels like well, a gamma bomb. Taking influence from the likes of METALLICA and IRON MAIDEN to name a couple, it’s hands down better than anything both bands have given us over the last few years.
Opening track Nunchuks! is one of the best openers you’ll hear all year round, as soon as it starts, there is no stopping it whatsoever. From the ferocious chugging guitar to the thundering drums, this song is a tour de force of all things metal. The vocals are on point too from vocalist Philly Byrne who truly leans into the fun and silliness, showing they’re allowing themselves to enjoy what they’re playing and singing. For any show you attend by GAMA BOMB, this song will surely have the crowd moving as soon as the first note hits. It is a true throwback to the classic sound of 80s metal and sets the standard for what is to come for the rest of the short and entertaining listen.
Following track, Intror the Deceiver is no different. The frenetic energy remains at 100mph yet allows guitarist Domo Dixon to flex his ever impressive guitar skills as his wailing solos take the song by the end and guide it to it’s victorious ending whilst rhythm guitarist John Roche holds his own with his riffs helping to keep the song grounded amidst the sonic assault. The song itself even has a great and catchy chorus which does sound simple when hearing but is just as fun to sing along with it as you punch your first in the air along with Byrne screaming “DECEIVER” again and again alongside the rip roaring riffs.
A commendable aspect of this EP is that while it does sound the same, it does just enough for each track to be a little different whilst still remaining loyal to the bands core sound. This bleeds over into penultimate track Necropanzer which works as an absolute highlight of the EP during the short and sweet listen. It encapsulates everything that makes metal music fun, it’s silly, over the top and leaves you with a huge grin on your face as you listen to it. The finale that is Necronomicon Automaton brings the EP to an epic close as it sees GAMA BOMB giving everything they have one final time, even though it’s a short listen, you still feel like you’ve gone ten rounds in a boxing ring as it musically pummels you repeatedly and leaves your ear drums shaken to their core. It almost seems unfair that it’s over so quickly but you will start it again as soon as it finishes.
GAMA BOMB have delivered one hell of a surprise with this. There isn’t a second throughout the EP where you’re bored and makes you yearn to be seeing this handful of songs whilst hammered in a mosh pit in a small and sweaty venue. If this had been any longer, it would have felt like a bloated offering that feels too long and makes you bored halfway through. It just goes to show that bands don’t always need to release full albums for the sake of it, an EP can focus on quality over quantity, and GAMA BOMB have absolutely smashed it with this one. Recommended on playing as loud as possible.
Rating: 7/10
Necromicon Automaton is out now via Prosthetic Records.
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