Thursday, May 5, 2016

Exterminus – Digital Downfall

Exterminus is one of many bands in an ever-growing UK thrash scene. “Digital Downfall” is the band’s first EP, and manages to make a pretty decent mark in just 4 songs. As you might have guessed from the artwork (which has a character who is reminiscent of Denial’s “Antichrist President”), Exterminus is not the most original of bands. They are however, not the most derivative either. In other words, their riffs don’t push the boundaries of thrash, but it doesn’t feel like you’ve heard them many times before. Comparing them to a long-lost 80s thrash band would be accurate because there were a lot of bands back then with unique riffing styles.

Vocally, Exterminus goes for a death/thrash approach, leaning more towards the former than the latter, though he has both abilities (the title track being a good example where he pulls off a more typical thrash shout alongside his more common guttural). Aside from the singing, Exterminus brings everything you could want on a thrash album. There are longer melodic instrumental breaks, showing off enjoyable guitar play, with minimal focus on extreme technical acrobatics. Speed is in no shortage throughout the release, making for a headbanging good time! 

There isn’t too much more to say about “Digital Downfall” because Exterminus has their own indefinable qualities. Many of my favourite thrash bands are groups who were fond of the major tropes of the subgenre, but who you could recognize instantly (Intruder, Evildead, Gammacide, and Hallows Eve all come to mind). Exterminus continues on in this vein because as soon as you hear their music, you know it’s them. This is the key ingredient for remaining fresh amongst an occasionally stale thrash crowd.

Be sure to check out and like Exterminus on Facebook!

Highlights
"Digital Downfall"
"Deceiving Nature"

Final Rating
4.1/5 or 82%. 

Written by Scott

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