Atrophy: Violent By Nature

Sorry for the long break. I'm out of country for a month on an official trip, so haven't been getting the time to put up new posts. Anyway, last night I listened to this album after a long long time and it's only befitting that I review it here under the Undiscovered Gems of Thrash Metal category.

The music of Atrophy can be described as a crazy mix of Megadeth, Artillery, Anthrax style riffing with the ferocity of the likes of Nuclear Assault, Razor and the ilk. This is not to say that their music is generic or bland by any means, no!

So, as the album title says, this is really violent! by nature. Savage, bone crunching riffing,hyper speed picking, brutal vocals...you know the works. And it's not just the ferocity which stands out, the music is technically perfect too. Album opener Puppies and Friends bursts out of the speakers traveling at the speed of light and has a great solo to back it up. Next up is the title track which has a very Megadeth-ish feel to it, but it's a good song nonetheless and boasts of a very good solo again. In Their Eyes slows things down to a mid tempo but picks up things around the 1:10 mark and goes on to provide some great riffing and vocal moments. Around the 2:30 mark this song changes gears very abruptly and we get a scorching solo again. After the 3:30 mark, this song is just madness!!, pure Heavy Metal bliss.....solos galore, double bass ecstasy...aah! it seems like I'll only talk about this one song. Trust me though, In Your Eyes is one of the most compelling and boombastic listens in all of Speed/Thrash Metal, yes!!...I'm not exaggerating here. Next up is Too Late for Change which could very well have been on one of those Metallica demo tapes. I guess this was an old recording put on this album just for the heck of it. The musicianship is there of course, but it's nothing great. Atrophy come back to form with the next track Slipped Through The Cracks; another riff fest which will have you headbanging all over the place. At the 3:05 mark, Atrophy go for the abrupt change again and show you that they could have been as big as some of the well known names in Thrash if they had a slick sounding band name and charismatic/hunky musicians. Forgotten but Not Gone follows in much the same vein; more riffs!..riffs and riffs galore!! and they do the unthinkable again at around the 2:40 mark...ooh! absolutely beautiful soloing. Process of Elimination starts off great but loses some grip during the slow singing parts. But it picks up again around the 2:30 mark to provide more Thrash bliss. Right to Die is your typical 'bread and butter' Thrash song which has everything going for it...more riffs! and impeccable drumming. Things Change is a worthy album closer with great breakdowns and time changes; the solo at the 2:08 mark is again.....uh..GODLY!

So that was Violent by Nature for you. It's not another Reign in Blood, Rust in Peace or Ride The Lightning which you absolutely MUST! have. But, if you're a fan of Thrash, or you just love great riffing and guitar work in general, then you will not be disappointed with this...that I can assure you.

Rating: 8.5/10