Time Signature
Agent thrash...
Genre: thrash metal
Awake the Riot is the sophomore full-length from Bavarian thrashers and thus the follow-up to their fierce debut Violent Demolition from 2012. It is well known that it can be incredibly difficult to follow up on one's debult album, but these Germans obviusly have no problems doing that, as Awake the riot is a rock solid thrash attack.
From beginning to end, the album is a relentless onslaught of thrash metal riffs, one stronger than the other, and bulldozing drums. This album really harnesses the aggressive energy of classic thrash metal without being mindlessly retro. True, it does adopt the aesthetics of the old thrash metal masters, and there also seems to be somewhat of an influence from Chuck Schuldiner's legendary band Death as well as Slayer and Sepultura, but the German's take these classic thrash and death-thrash elements in their own direction as they wrap it in sophistication and technicality in the form of songs with multiple tempo changes and well time thrash metal style breakdowns. Also, rather than opting for old school lo-fi production, Dust Bolt embrace a contemporary production which fits the precision with which they perform their music beautifully.
Awake the Riot is – or ought to be – an instant thrash metal classic. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out; they are likely to enjoy its relentless thrash metal barrage.
(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)