A lethal dose of facemelting thrash
As the 80s thrash movement progressed and matured it began to explode with a number of similar sounding, regurgative bands. In the midst of a bloated scene, it’s easy to see how a band like Aspid could be overlooked. Their 1993 debut album, Extravasation, was originally released only on vinyl and cassette, but soon afterward the band disbanded and faded into obscurity. Now, Australian label Stigmartyr Records has taken it upon itself to re-release this album nearly 15 years after its original conception.
On Extravasation, Aspid serves up a blistering thrash assault which is just as impressive to modern ears as it must have been at its original release. While Extravasation remains true to the thrash traditions of speed and intensity, it also manages to be technical and even somewhat brutal. Vocals are shrieked in a manner reminiscent of Morbid Saint or Dark Angel and intertwine perfectly with the scorching guitar riffs. Extended instrumental sections showcase the sheer riffing power of the guitars, but a shout goes out to the bass as well, which manages to hold its own against this guitar onslaught. Solos are both well-done and tastefully inserted. The clear (but not overdone) production ties all this together, and although it would be nice to hear more bass in some sections, the way that Extravasation is produced and mixed suits it well.
Even though there may be a few weaker segments of the album when Aspid depart from their breakneck speed, these mid-paced sections are still solid and provide a rest from the otherwise unforgiving tempo. Aspid are definitely at their strongest, however, when upping the intensity and showcasing the utter devastation they can wreak. Refreshingly, the speed and technicality of the music don’t get in the way of the songwriting, which crafts pieces that transition smoothly the entire way through.
Overall, Extravasation is an excellent technical thrash album that really highlights what the genre is capable of achieving. Fans of riff-filled thrash, especially those who can’t get enough of Alice in Hell-era Annihilator, really owe it to themselves to give this release a listen.
| Reviewer: Josh Coppola Added: May 30th 2008 |
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