UMUR
"Faster than Death" is the eighth full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Hirax. The album was released through Doomentia Records in February 2025. It´s the successor to "Immortal Legacy" from 2014. Although Hirax have remained active and have released some demos, splits, and other minor releases in the 11 years between the two full-length studio albums, it´s still a long time to wait for a new album. In true Hirax style the listener only gets nine tracks and a total playing time of 21:45 minutes (their 1986 sophomore studio album "Hate, Fear and Power" famously only features a 16 minutes playing time), so it´s not like they´ve spend all those years composing a wealth of material for the world to hear.
"Faster than Death" is a release featuring no surprises and for most Hirax fans that´s how it should be. It´s powerful, raw, and either fast-paced or heavier mid-paced thrash metal with lead vocalist Katon W. de Pena´s distinct sounding raw shouting vocals in front. The musicianship is strong and everything is delivered with the right amount of intensity and passion. These guys are professionals and fans of raw old school west coast US thrash metal should find a lot to appreciate here. Raw staccato delivered vocals, powerful thrashy riffing and drumming, and blistering screaming lead guitar work. "Faster than Death" is well produced too and upon conclusion it´s another high quality release from Hirax and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
