Sceptor
Fucking Metal Motherfuckers
6
Apparently, old-school thrashers Scepter never got the memo that the 80's ended two decades ago. But I'll let that slide because I like thrash. Sure, by now the sound of pure thrash has been performed by countless bands, making anything new derivative, but well-done thrash is very damned metal. Coming from Chicago, Scepter's newest album isn't the next Coma of Souls, but it's a fun-filled trip down memory lane. Their influences are pretty obvious to the discerning ear. On the surface they sound a good deal like Celtic Frost, but a closer listen (particularly towards the end) reveals a slowed-down Slayer sound. Also, I may be alonse in this, but I think I hear a wee little bit of Motorhead in the mix. The production has a smoothed-over older sound to it. Nothing sounds overly crisp, the guitars are up front, with added emphasis for solos, and the drums make heavy use of the crash cymbal. Musicianship-wise, the guitarist writes interesting, if somewhat repetitive riffs, and the drums seem to follow the music a bit too closely. The vocalist has a typical thrash cadence - sort of speaking loud and fast, but understandable.
The songs tend to follow the same formula, they're all generally pretty short (around 3 minutes), mid-paced, and devoid of tempo changes. They all just seem to chug right along at a steady pace. Although, I do love the album's name. Seeing "fuck" in a title is rare enough, but twice?!?! Must be my lucky day. Some of the better songs are Age of Consent, which starts off with a Tom Araya-like shriek and stays fast and menacing through its duration. Lowest Common Denominator is a nice chugging song, overflowing with 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 riffage, and containing potent lyrics about whooping ass. Now that's metal! Hand of Glory plays out like a heavier, faster Sabbath song, while The Victimless Crime evokes Slayer back when Slayer was great. Now I'm not saying that this song is on par with Raining Blood, but the general sound is there.
In conclusion, this is a fun album that throwsback to a simpler time when metal was pure and didn't crossbreed with so many other forms of music. Sure, the lyrics are a bit juvenile, but that doesn't really affect my judgment any. Scepter have released a good album that old-time thrashers and the occasional newer metalhead should enjoy. Nothing mindblowing, but enjoyable nevertheless.
