Atrophy
Violent by Nature

These extremely violent American thrashers take us back to the dear (old) 80s metal: if you're familiar with the oldest productions of Anthrax and Testament, you can have an idea of the sound impact of this quintet. Note that there are at least three bands worldwide with this name: here we are not talking about the Canadian jazz-metallers (!), nor the French deathsters, but the creators of Socialized Hate, perhaps known to some of you. Certainly, the typical stereotypes of the genre are not lacking: two guitars, bass, vocals and drums (!), obsessive and pounding double bass, venomous vocals, lyrics focused on social, political, and existential themes (Now I find I'm all alone, and wondering what is real, insecure of who I am, afraid of what I feel).

The production is highly commendable, unlike other bands (e.g. German) of the era who were technically prepared but characterized by a truly dismal sound output. Certainly, the Atrophy of this CD are not particularly innovative, but rather endowed with that attitude and that wild and obsessive riffing ("In their eyes") for which the early Death of Chuck Schuldiner certainly set the bar. Melodic openings are not missing ("Too late for change") where our guys demonstrate, beyond the apparent "no-compromise" stance, a truly remarkable taste for melody, which perfectly blends with the typical thrash patterns. Worth listening to and certainly worth owning, given its not very high availability, which does not make you scream miracle but is greatly appreciated (and not a little).