Power Trip – Nightmare Logic

“Nightmare Logic” is the second album from Texas thrash band Power Trip, and is a succinct offering of brilliantly played thrash metal. The key element that drives this record is the combination of a razor-sharp guitar tone with powerhouse drumming. The production is so aggressive that it makes even the tamest riffs heavy. Power Trip is able to maneuver through a variety of tempos effectively because of the sheer weight of their riffs. Whether it is the slow-pounding chords of “Soul Sacrifice”, the simplistic mid-paced chugging of “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)”, or the hyperfast bludgeoning of “Firing Squad”, Power Trip’s will always leave you wanting more. They deliver all of their riffs with incredible precision, making even the more complicated riffs on this record sound effortless.

Despite this focus on production, it’s worth pointing out that it is closer to the sound of bands like Razor or Demolition Hammer than it is something more modern like Lich King or Gama Bomb. The vocal approach is likewise similar to the two aforementioned band (Razor’s Bob Reid-era, at least). Power Trip’s singer blends death and thrash metal sounds into an aggressive growl that is both vicious and understandable. The most appropriate comparison would be to a band like Dekapitator, who managed to conjure a similar sound on their two efforts. "Nightmare Logic" does show the occasional punk leaning with some of the progressions in the riffs, but is ultimately rooted in death/thrash metal.

For as good as Power Trip is, they would probably be even better with more speed. When the band plays fast, there are few that can match their tempos, but they have a lot of moments that are more upbeat than outright fast. The grandeur of the production masks the fact that there are a lot of mid-paced sections on this album because of how monolithic the riffs sound. This isn’t so much of a criticism of the music that does exist on this album (because it all rules), but just the potential that the band holds. Regardless, thrash fans of both old and new bands should worship Power Trip because they avoid many of the common pitfalls more popular modern bands have made, while still creating a crushing thrash record!

Be sure to check out and like Power Trip on Facebook!

Highlights

"Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)"

"Firing Squad"

"Waiting Around to Die"

Final Rating

4.25/5 or 85%. 

Written by Scott