Review by Tomek on January 12, 2018.

The Skulldrain name (with slight modification) originates in the medical field and gets its name from a procedure that might make you queasy once you find out what it is. I think it is also a pretty cool name for a metal band. Hatred Rising is the first full length for these Swedes, and the list of their influences includes Exodus, Vader, Slayer, Destruction, Lamb of God and The Haunted. As you probably have figured out already, thrash is the name of the game, but I bet that you didn’t know that the Skulldrain guys are not some fresh dudes trying to make some noise but experienced musicians with stints in bands like Demonical and Sectu plus a cooperation with Zodiac Ciphers. Well, with all that out of the way, the time has come to talk about the main dish – Hatred Rising.

Skulldrain churns out hard, fast and dynamic guitar-oriented thrash metal that is not only well composed and arranged but also with the attitude level turned all the way up. The album’s sound is kind of dry (which is quite normal for a thrash metal record), but personally I prefer the guitar sound to have more of a 'juicy drip' to it. However, considering how much is going on in most of the songs, it is probably a good thing. More so, after listening to the album many times, I felt that the way album is produced makes the music not only come forward with tons of energy but also exposes this catchy ferociousness and guitar hooks to stay interesting. Thrash is known to carry lots of speed with it, and there is plenty of it here; Skulldrain also found a way to incorporate some of the familiar slow and heavy riffs, some groove, and a fair amount of melody. All the aforementioned above especially comes out to the front in ‘Antisocial Agenda’ with catchy riffs throughout and a nice solo or ‘Through Death’ with a fist-pumping chorus and good melodic solo for example. That said, there is something different and original happening in every song on the album. There are also two instrumental pieces that break the pace, allowing for a little respite and gathering of thoughts, which is much needed on an album dominated by speed, power and rage. Both are quite outstanding I must say. So far, so good, right? Well, as good as it sounds, there is something that bugged me a little. Even though the riffs on this album are top notch, they’re not future hymns of the genre yet, and there are a lot of awesome riffs or even sections of the songs that could be just that. There are riffs in ‘Hatred Rising’, ‘White Phosphorous Bombing’, ‘Trigger The Crisis’ or in ‘Bad Blood’ that appear for just a moment and are way more infectious than what was pushed to the front. It is a matter of preference of course, but after listening to the album for a while I noticed that I was looking for those riffs almost every time, wishing for those to be exposed and maybe carried on far more. Just a little something I had to get off my chest.

So, what is the bottom line? Skulldrain released a very interesting album that can compete with many out there, but there is still work to be done. As far as debut albums go last year, however, they are definitely somewhere up near the top, and if that’s how they start I see a bright future ahead of Skulldrain. I’ll be waiting for the next one; I wonder what they’ll do. 

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

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 Krys on March 17, 2007.

"Circadian Rhythm" comes 3 years after Thurisaz impressive debut "Scent Of A Dream" and while it might seem like a long time I'll take quality over quantity any day. Band's growth is visible in every aspect of this album, from complexity of compositions through production to artwork and layout everything is taken to the next level. For those unfamiliar with their sound the closest description would be atmospheric black/death with doom and gothic elements thrown in for a good measure. Actually if it wasn't for harsh vocals musically they have more in common with melodic doom than aggressive black or death bands. On tracks like 'Falling', 'Fading Dreams' or 'Past Perfect' clean vocals and song structures remind me more of Opeth and My Dying Bride rather than more aggressive counterparts of this genre. Even when Thurisaz turns it up a notch those faster songs are never too intense yet always accessible, moody and melodic. With "Circadian Rhythm" our Belgian quintet establishes themselves as a force to be reckoned with and don't be surprised if their new album (3 years from now) gets straight 10s all the way from top to bottom on our scale.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Originality: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 17, 2007.

"Circadian Rhythm" comes 3 years after Thurisaz impressive debut "Scent Of A Dream" and while it might seem like a long time I'll take quality over quantity any day. Band's growth is visible in every aspect of this album, from complexity of compositions through production to artwork and layout everything is taken to the next level. For those unfamiliar with their sound the closest description would be atmospheric black/death with doom and gothic elements thrown in for a good measure. Actually if it wasn't for harsh vocals musically they have more in common with melodic doom than aggressive black or death bands. On tracks like 'Falling', 'Fading Dreams' or 'Past Perfect' clean vocals and song structures remind me more of Opeth and My Dying Bride rather than more aggressive counterparts of this genre. Even when Thurisaz turns it up a notch those faster songs are never too intense yet always accessible, moody and melodic. With "Circadian Rhythm" our Belgian quintet establishes themselves as a force to be reckoned with and don't be surprised if their new album (3 years from now) gets straight 10s all the way from top to bottom on our scale.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Originality: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10