Review by Dominik on August 15, 2026.

Theoretically, reviews are all about objectivity and giving the reader some guidance. Right? Practically, that's impossible, as the information available about "Wiring Of Violence" impressively demonstrates. There is, however, one common denominator. Eradikated play thrash metal that leans far more toward the Bay Area than the European, or, more specifically, the Teutonic, version. So far, so good. After that, things get blurry. Depending on which review you read and whom you ask, the detected influences range from old-school thrash to modern thrash, the classic Slayer sound, while others hear traces of Death Angel, Exodus, Sacred Reich, and even Pantera or Trivium in the riffs. At this rate, someone will eventually discover ABBA influences hidden in the bass lines. Subsequently we're none the wiser and have just proven my opening statement. So, instead of pretending to settle the debate, let me happily add my 2 cents and thus another layer to the confusion.

Eradikated sound like Sodom. Okay, just kidding. The band clearly looks west rather than staying "at home" in Sweden. They are also wise enough not to sound like late Metallica, and within 32 minutes they rush us through nine songs plus one obligatory intro and outro, and for the most part they do so convincingly. Being the speed addict I am (just the music, Your Honor...), it's hardly surprising that the shorter and faster songs work much better for me. The slower ones occasionally try a little too hard to groove, "Again I Rise" immediately comes to mind, which, decades ago, should have been enough to revoke their license to be called thrash metal. Here my enthusiasm started looking for the nearest emergency exit. But enough nitpicking. Let me dissect the album for you.

After a genre-typical intro, "British Petroleum" arrives like a Molotov cocktail through a boardroom window and enters the stage as one of the album's highlights. Without carrying a single unnecessary gram of fat, the track is both lyrically and musically an accusation against the relentless exploitation of finite resources. The vocals come dangerously close to hardcore spite, while the guitars happily shred away, throw in a fitting solo, and before you know it, after barely two and a half minutes, it's all over and the damage is done. "Mortality" follows only slightly behind and approaches things with a somewhat more technical touch. Here, the vocals occasionally nod towards Tom Araya without ever reaching his unmistakable snarl. Roughly two-thirds into the song, the pace drops, and suddenly I understood why Slayer keeps being mentioned whenever people discuss the band's riffing.

"Culling" and "Tsar" are two more solid bangers. The latter in particular showcases the band's affinity for crossover. It sounds like a thrashier version of Municipal Waste after swapping a few beers for extra aggression, and not just because of its brevity. Generally, "Wiring Of Violence" occasionally emanates modern hardcore vibes, which doesn't muddy the waters but instead injects even more intensity into the music. The excellent production keeps these influences firmly under control, making them an integral part of the album rather than a deterrent. A final standout arrives with "Ashes", which alternates between blazing-fast riffs and double-bass-heavy reprieves. The fact that the vocalist sometimes sounds as if he's singing faster than he actually should only adds to the song's charm. I won't bore you with yet another guessing game about possible influences. This is another scorcher that deserves to be enjoyed, before somebody writes a doctoral thesis about one particular riff.

With only their second album, Eradikated prove that they know their trade. If there's one wish for the band's next release, it's this: take a few more risks. I'd simply like to see them play it a little less safe on album number three. Roughly a third into "Wiring Of Violence", the feeling sets in that you've already heard the band's entire arsenal, and what follows are slightly stronger or slightly weaker variations of the same formula. I'd also dial back on the mid-tempo groove. The music works best when the guys simply open the floodgates, let it rip and let the riffs commit violent acts against common sense. And in the end, that's exactly what my kind of thrash is all about.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10, because Eradikated wire plenty of violence into these 32 minutes. However, next time they should cut a few more cables before the safety inspector notices.

Review by Jeger on April 2, 2026.

Ukraine's Këkht Aräkh has ushered in a new era of gay Ukrainian Romantic Black Metal; spearheading a movement tailed by newcomers, Draugveil and Selvnatt, who've both released LPs this year. I'm not totally against this brand of BM. I did get a kick out of "Pale Swordsman" and "Frozen Throne" by Draugveil feat. Selvnatt is a gorgeous little number if I do say so myself and now? 2026 and the great Overseer, the Overlord of gay Romantic Black Metal, Këkht Aräkh, has decided to follow 'em up with an LP of his own, "Morning Star", released on March 27 via Sacred Bones Records.

What we have here in comparison to "Pale Swordsman" is experimentation and complexity. What "PS" lacked in imagination, "Morning Star" delivers in spades. There's still that lovely modest recording ambiance; that delicate fuzz just there in the background enriching every note, beat and chord with nice earthy textures/tones, all the while as the dense rumble of the bass and the simplicity of every hypnotic riff drives the experience forward in tracks like "Castle" - a swift and dreamlike track that rolls easily along to martial rhythms one moment, only to shift into finesse blast-beats and clean guitar passages overlain by a whispering, contemplative soliloquy. And "Lament" - fitting title for such a happy little cut. Melancholy? Dreadful! Groans and chants create a most dismal vibe. What a difference. Like night and day are "Pale Swordsman" and "Morning Star". The former - so simple and romantic, while the latter leaves you in a state of narco-like sedation and perpetual bewilderment. There's aggression, particularly during parts of "Angest", but outside of these fleeting flashes, "Morning Star" is just, well, bizarre… Awkward clean singing is literally ruining this album.

When night falls and all is tranquil, you can hear your thoughts clearly. Some beckon from the shadow, others from the past, all of them forged in suffering. Collecting the tears and digging deep into the mire of self is Crying Orc. Upturning from the existential bog a pain so perfect that it had to be realized through weird acoustic arrangements and bizarre child-sounding-like-he's-been-drugged-and-dying vocals. Annoying… "Genom Sorgen"? Skip it… This thing is just all over the place. Pick a direction and stick with it for a bit, eh?

Much time, effort and self-searching were required in order to create "Morning Star". It's a recording that no doubt means a lot to CO and that sentiment bleeds through every riff and beat, but it's just so unfocused. Like a piece of writing that needs editing but was released anyway. Just not a strong effort, despite the fact that Crying Orc put everything he had into it. There's a distinct cultural ethos to behold in "Drömsång" and "Trollsång": lyrics in native tongue, earthy and folkish. A true Black Metal album, just not the best one…

Need a little romance in your life? Some contemplative melancholy? Look no further. Balance, patience and wisdom are scarce but for anyone looking to brood or stew over whatever is making them miserable or over the one that got away, "Morning Star" is the move. If you're like me and you appreciate the effort but still feel like the world of BM could either take Romantic Black Metal or leave it and it would be of very little consequence, then you could in turn take this album or leave it. Some people will hate this album, some will love it and I doubt there will be very much going on in between. Personally, I would recommend Këkht Aräkh, Draugveil and Selvnatt to my teenaged daughter as an entryway into Black Metal…

Rating: 6 out of 10