UMUR
"Unknown Entity" is the debut full-length studio album by UK, Barnsley, South Yorkshire based thrash metal act Amnesia. The album was released through Major Records in 1991. Amnesia was a rather short-lived act. They formed in 1988 and split-up shortly after the release of "Unknown Entity".
The music on the album is US influenced thrash metal of the techncially well played kind. It´s especially Annihilator´s (...yeah I know they are Canadian) first couple of albums that I´m reminded of, but there are references to acts like Flotsam & Jetsam and mid-eighties Megadeth and Metallica too. It´s all packed in a decent sound production and delivered with a fair amount of conviction, but "Unknown Entity" is the kind of album that´s missing a bit of an identity. The same can be said about Amnesia as a band. There´s little on the album that´ll surprise anyone who knows the output by the most prolific acts in thrash metal, and while that´s not a major party killer, when the music is as energetic and well performed as it is here, the lack of a personal sound is still enough of an issue for my rating to be a little lower than the high quality of "Unknown Entity" might otherwise warrant.
The musicianship is strong throughout. The rythm section is tight and well playing and the guitarists play one "classic" thrash metal riff after another, while also playing some blistering solos in the process. Lead vocalist Simon Rose has a somewhat similar voice (albeit a bit more raw and not quite as melodic) to Aaron Randall who sang on "Set the World on Fire (1993)" by Annihilator.
While I miss a more original sound, "Unknown Entity" is still a pretty great thrash metal release by Amnesia and overall it´s certainly an entertaining release. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.