Killing Spree
Deception Betrayal Revenge
7
There’s a fair amount of thrash being produced these days, but most of it is not entirely true to the blueprint set out by classic outfits of the 80's like Exodus and Slayer. Usually there are death metal or hardcore vocals, and usually it all sounds a bit too clean and streamlined to belong in the same genre as the aforementioned bands. The term “retro-thrash” has been bandied about quite a bit as of late, but Killing Spree are one of the few bands that could actually be described as fitting into this category. The riffs are chromatic and the vocals are ridiculous; in short, everything is as it should be. If you hate derivative material, don’t bother. However, if you ever took any interest in the genre, you may want to look into this band -- though I didn’t live through the glory days of thrash, this seems like a nice throwback.
What interests me especially about Deception Betrayal Revenge is the fact that I can hear shades of so many great groups in Killing Spree’s songwriting style. The vocalist draws a big influence from Tom Araya, but the vocals on the track “Infection” are pure Mustaine. The music itself reminds me of Show No Mercy, but with more grooves and slightly less memorable riffs. Prominent on this album are strong choruses with the occasional use of gang vocals. Additionally, something Killing Spree has that many bands do not is strong bass work, and the band delivers on this front with bass highlights such as the break at the end of “Garden of Heathen,” one of the album’s standout moments. The song structures are somewhat basic, but enjoyable. You don’t have to listen actively to take in this relatively straightforward disc.
Musically, the band performs well, with good drumming, guitar playing, and bass material. The vocalist is also perfect for the style, as I have mentioned, though I am sure that thrash newbies won’t like the frontman; for those that don’t know, the genre is riddled with “eccentric” vocal styles. I must admit that I found the solos a bit uninspired, which would be my main complaint about the record. As far as production goes, this album is very well-recorded. The drums sound crisp, and the guitar tone is great, while the vocal parts are mixed at a good volume.
What it comes down to is that Deception Betrayal Revenge is a tribute to thrash metal. This is not going to supplant the older releases or become a modern classic, and fans that are well-versed in the genre may consider it a tad bland. It’s a good, solid outing, and well worth the listen, but the band isn’t up there with the masters just yet. I hope to hear from Killing Spree again at some point in the future.
