Review by Felix on July 3, 2019.

I like heavy metal, because it can be pure energy. Maybe I fall victim to my own taste, but from an objective perspective, thrash metal is the most energizing sub-genre. Thrashist Regime - I don't disclose the secret which style they prefer! - hail from Scotland and inject the listener an extra dose of energy. They convey liveliness and a positive sort of unsteadiness. Their restlessness seems to be the main driver of their musical creativity. So, come on, the Repka-esque artwork does not promise to much. Given this situation, let's raise the curtain for Carnival of Monsters.

Generally speaking, Thrashist Regime have a feeling for proper riffs and they are aware of the fact that velocity should not be neglected. This does not mean that the album is free from minor flaws. Sometimes the dudes get lost in the complexity of their own compositions, for example the opener lacks compactness. A good song and anything but insubstantial, yet a little bit too long. "Colossus", equipped with a brilliant opening riff, also slightly derails. An orgy of riffs can be wonderful, and the formation avoids meaningless sequences, but sometimes less is more. The short infusions of adrenaline called "Antarctattack" and "Headshot" show how it can work very well. Indeed, the majority of the songs scores with straight parts that release a gigantic power, inter alia due to the fantastic, perfectly balanced production. It lends tracks such as "Megalomaniac" the maximum pressure, because it's vigorous and robust while mirroring the enthusiasm and the joy of the five freaks. Thrash metal from the UK often has a funny note, just think of Gama Bomb, Acid Reign or Lawnmower Deth. Never forget that "Weebles Wobble but They Don't Fall Down"! Either way, Thrashist Regime don't take themselves too seriously and this gives the work a likeable touch.

Joe Johnston, the bald-headed lead vocalist, has a strong, pretty charismatic voice. He sounds neither demonic nor inhuman, but he masters all challenges with his "normal" voice in a very convincing manner. He also avoids high-pitched shrieks, but I don't miss them at all. His comrades support him with some precise background shouts and so the vocal performance stands the test. The same goes for the instrumental contributions. As far as I can, the band members do not lack musicianship and technique. Maybe they can increase their compositional skills and keep a close eye on creating more memorable parts. Tracks like "Vengeful Knights" or "Soldiers of Fortune" point in the right direction, but there is still a potential for improvement. On the other hand, I cannot identify any song that damages the flow of the album and all of them are meticulously forged. The passion of the band is tangible and its joy of playing constitutes an advantage which should not be underestimated.

One thing is for sure, Thrashist Regime have released a competitive sophomore full-length. They seem to be on a good way to the top of the global thrash scene and fans of Anthrax, Dr. Living Dead! or Exodus can have fun with their music. The homogeneous work covers the whole range from short outbursts to the blazing title track, an ecstatic instrumental. Find out your personal favorites. Regardless of your selection, you will be energized.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Carl on September 8, 2022.

Ah yes, Comatose Music strikes again! This label seldom fails to deliver the goods when it comes to brutal death metal, and that's saying something, because if there's one genre where the critique "it all sounds the same" can often aimed at, it's this one. Now, having put that statement out there, let me go on to say that the ladies and gentlemen of Stabbing do not exactly reinvent the wheel here, but that what they do, they certainly do in style!

In case you skipped my laboriously composed intro above and might have missed it: Stabbing play brutal death metal. If I have to compare them to other acts, I'd say Atrocious Abnormality, Putrid Pile, Disgorge (the US one) and Lust Of Decay aren't far off the mark, but I think any aficionado of the style could conjure up the names of a fair share of others as well. All the characteristics of the style make an appearance here: from the down-tuned guitars that go head-to-head with some massive guttural vocal work and blasting percussive ferocity, to the pummeling grooves and pulverizing breaks, it's all here. The music is poured into varied songs that don't skimp on the brutality, yet manage to keep focus on the whole. The compositions don't lose themselves in extravagant technicality or unnecessary guitar wank, but are kept simple and to the point, making all four tracks effective blasts of death metal ferocity, exactly the way one wants this to sound. The production keeps it all powerful and direct, even if the guitars could've been more in front of the mix, but that does not diminish the sheer power this EP exudes.

This is quite the impressive first encounter with this band. Perhaps the lack of an identity of their own could be a point of criticism for some, but in my opinion this is totally obliterated by the excellent execution and pulverizing music. This is a near-lethal dose of brutal death metal mayhem, and you can pull me out of bed in the middle of the night for stuff like this.

Bring on that full length, please! I am eagerly waiting for it.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10