Review by Alex on March 29, 2020.

Coming from the land that adorns metal and thrash metal at that in which they sit unchallenged on the throne, Brazil has produced yet another jewel to behold. This time coming from a band under the name Thrashera with their 3rd full length album since being formed in 2010, Não Gosto! You'd think they'd be a lot more said about Thrashera given they've been around for nearly a decade, but unfortunately no, I guess you know what's to blame for that. Anyway, Não Gosto! is fun, violent, underground thrash metal. It moves fast, is catchy, and has a real 80s offensive feel about it. Not a lot of guitar solos but when used they tear ass, and the leads along with the choruses, I promise, you won’t get out of your head. Good old school thrash metal coming from a place notorious for quality thrashing bands and tunes. A high recommendation for any thrash metal fanatic.

I had to run back to their 2014 debut, For All Drunks 'n' Bitches after headbanging to every second on Não Gosto!, I found that the music did have its highlighting moments but just like their follow-up album Morte Webbanger that again showed competency in crafting catchy thrash metal tunes, was poorly mixed and mastered causing the material to appear thin and ineffective. However, this move to Helldprod Records helped massively to give the music the punch it deserves. Now we get a Thrashera that not only has written their best full length but has the backing of a professional production to give Não Gosto! the punch it deserves.

Translated to 'I Dont Like it!', Não Gosto! uncorks a bottle of over-pouring ill-will with 'Maré 669' that swings with drunken determination and fury, offering a taste of the menacing hooks to come down the order. Mostly adopting a similar pacing as opener 'Maré 669', songs down the order don't stray from the set formula but keep the guitars at work in the lead department with the watchful inclusion of effective solos on 'Rei dos Excessos' and 'Sangue ao Metal' for example, to heighten the album's compositional variety and aid the songs overall structure; not for the sake of, rather as companions and necessary extensions of the rhythms' framework.

With the A side living up to the hype of the cover through its destructive arms squashing all weak shit out there, the B side however takes the crown. Hitting and not giving you a chance to catch a breath with slick licks on 'Trapped in the 80s (Hard Version)', the speed-metal bordering 'Metal!' and my favorite track off Não Gosto!, 'Correntes não prendem serpentes', all of which do an amazing job of almost crushing the A side. The gruff vocals, sassy-riffing and stamina-building drumming, all seem lifted in terms of effect on the B side, the curtain call to an exceptional record.

Não Gosto! makes a bald-headed guy wish he had long hair, can't recommend this one enough; "Trapped in the 80s" for 35 minutes, Eu Gosto!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Allan on June 1, 2003.

Progression is somewhat of a double-edged sword. Much of the time fans become disgruntled with the new sound or direction of a band. The band loses a lot of fans, who think their time is best spent complaining about the new stuff and talking about the good old days. On the other hand, there are people out there who enjoy progression. There are those who really don't want to hear the same record three or four times. Twice, even. And by stomping across new ground, the band usually gains new fans. Depending on which side of the fence you stand, you either put that smug "I love 'Mandylion'" grin on your face, or you float in enjoyment when you think about the beautiful thing that Holland's The Gathering have become. Their latest album, "Souvenirs," is once again a progression into new territory.

It's hard to say what the best album by The Gathering is. They all have their own qualities that make them stand out in a peculiar way. With "Souvenirs," though, I can definitely say that The Gathering has taken a great leap in terms of quality. Not that the albums before now are any less. It's just that "Souvenirs" is much more mature. It might have to due with the fact that The Gathering took three years to write this album, as opposed to the relatively short amount of time that they took to write "If_then_else." What makes "Souvenirs" much more mature is the song writing. The songs themselves are far more in depth than previously. Layer upon layer of guitars, vocals, drum loops, and electronic effects are what the songs are comprised of. Each subsequent listen will often open up new doors inside the music. Little details will make themselves known to you that you hadn't noticed before. Furthermore, the songs have a lot of color to them. This might have to do with the layering and depth that has been put into the songs, but I credit most of it to the amazing song writing skill of The Gathering. Many times an album will have songs that are very similar and are void of anything that helps to differentiate the songs. With "Souvenirs," listening to each song is like looking at the album from a different angle. Each angle shows you something new, yet you know you're listening to the same album. "Souvenirs" is a very cohesive effort.

I feel a need to point out a few other details. Anneke van Giersbergen's vocals are absolutely beautiful. They are somewhat of the focal point of the music, and rightfully so. Her presence is wonderful and welcomed with open arms. Her abilities have continued to grow with each album. Otherwise, the song 'A Life All Mine' features Garm, or Trickster G. (of Arcturus and Ulver fame). It's quite an amazing song that will be enjoyed by those who are quite fond of his vocals.

Bottom Line: I'll just say it right now: "Souvenirs" is one of the best albums of 2003. Do yourself a favor and at least check it out.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10