UMUR
"From Days Unto Darkness" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Hatriot. The album was released through Massacre Records in July 2019. It´s the successor to "Dawn of the New Centurian" from 2014 and features a couple of lineup changes. Hatriot was originally formed by (at the time) former Exodus lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza and his two sons Cody Souza on bass and Nick Souza on drums plus guitarist Kosta V.. When Steve "Zetro" Souza was invited back to the Exodus fold in 2015, he had no other choice than to quit Hatriot, as he could not handle the commitments of two bands. There have been a couple of other lineup shuffles on the second guitarist position, but on "From Days Unto Darkness", the band settled on Kevin Paterson. A worse issue was of course to replace a legendary and distinct sounding lead vocalist like Steve "Zetro" Souza but bassist Cody Souza stepped up to the challenge, and performs vocals on "From Days Unto Darkness" in addition to his bass duties.
A change on the lead vocalist spot is always serious business for a band, but upon initial listening to the opening track "One Less Hell" I actually thought that "Zetro" had helped out and done session vocals on the album, because that´s how similar a voice and vocal style Cody Souza has to his dad (it´s almost too easy, but I can´t resist the temptation to quote the Exodus song title "Like Father, Like Son"). Listening a bit more closely there are some differences though and the longer you get into the album, the more the young Souza comes into his own. He also performs some vocal styles (like occasional semi-death metal growling) that his father would never do. The Exodus comparison is of course inevitable though, and it´s not only because of Cody Souza´s voice sounding very similar to his fathers ditto, but the general music style is also US, Bay Area influenced thrash metal through and through. The riff style, the guitar solos, the drumming, and how the vocals are delivered are all trademarks of that particular brand of thrash metal.
So Hatriot won´t win any contests if the goal is to have an original sound, but they will definitely be contenders for the title of being one of the most powerful and convincing acts on the scene. The musicianship is high class on all posts and Hatriot are also skilled composers who know how to write an effectful and memorable thrash metal song.
"From Days Unto Darkness" features a punchy and powerful contemporary sounding production job, which suits the aggression and power of the music and the performances well. So it´s an album for fans of a slightly updated Bay Area thrash metal sound with clear influences from the classic 80s acts from the area. The lack of a more original sound is a slight issue, but only a very small one, as the music is as well written and well performed as it is. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.