Music Review #20:
Hatchet
Fear Beyond Lunacy
2015
The End Records
Many times I've thought it would be a good idea to have a separate genre for metal albums with invasive political themes. The big four have been making songs about the topic since their inception and have been inspiring metal bands to do the same for decades. But eventually there will be a band that reaches the same quality as the pioneers. With 2006's Hatchet, it seems it is time the student becomes the master, and creates perhaps the greatest metal album of 2015. Musically, Hatchet's influence is obviously from 2000's Anvil, with heavy focus on drums and a consistent riff pattern hellbent on belting out music as fast as possible is clear on many tracks. Yet there are many times where the music slows down with either more traditional metal or inclusion of symphonic elements. The opening to the album, 'Where Time Cannot Exist' is a prominent example of echoing melodies that clash with one each-other (perfectly complemented by the fantastic production quality). To be frank, most of the best parts of the album are these such parts and they really bring color to the thrash genre. Vocalist Julz Ramos is a very talented man who would've fit in perfectly with the likes of Steve Kudlow, Dave Mustaine, and Bruce Dickinson. Same goes mostly for the overall playing skill and song composition as a whole. Like the cherry on the proverbial sundae, the wonderful 80's style cover and creative name tops off this entire masterpiece of modern metal. Rock is dead? Get the hell out of here.
I beg you, reader, to listen to this album and give it more attention. It is wonderful, underrated, and deserves more praise.
© 2016- The Frying Pan & Thatcher
Originally written for Metal Music Archives on 3/18/2016.
Visit the site at www.metalmusicarchives.com
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