Review of Trigger The Bloodshed - Degenerate

If there’s anything that stands out immediately on these young Brits’ third full-length, it’s the way in which they throw things against the wall; not haphazardly, but a controlled chaos, a stoking of the flames. Like any album worth its weight in packaging, a picture emerges as the throwing continues. Themes come into play. A feeling envelops you, the listener. It’s hard to put your finger on. Perhaps it’s too messy for that. This isn’t what I was expecting, you think. Could this be? Actual songs?

Trigger the Bloodshed wastes little time. It takes all of eleven seconds before they’re off and running, a trail of blastbeats and hypnotic riffing in their wake. Normally I’d say an album opener should be one of the shorter tracks on the album, like a musical amuse-bouche; carefully prepared, immediate and distinctly Trigger the Bloodshed. But this is merely a more sizeable portion. When you hit that one-minute mark of “A Vision Showing Nothing,” you’ll know of what I speak. That chorus is infectious, perfectly timed and head-splittingly heavy. After enduring that insanely frenetic opening minute, you’re due that kind of mindless fun. This right here is how to set a tone right out the gate.

With a somewhat mathy back-catalogue but a progression toward a purely brutal death metal sound, Trigger the Bloodshed should surprise very few but delight many with Degenerate. It’s technical without being showy, catchy without being cute. Solos are impressive without being overly long, and the breakdowns are a palate cleanser as opposed to a crutch. Some songs are less recognizable than others (“Hollow Prophecy” and “A Sterile Existence”), but most have that unique layer, whether it’s a particularly good solo, riff, breakdown, whatever, that sticks. Even the above-mentioned “Hollow Prophecy” has a savior of a solo.

If it sounds like Degenerate is made of bits and pieces, it’s only a partial truth. After a few songs you start to recognize a songwriting formula, and that predictability puts a slight damper on what is otherwise a surprisingly fun album. While it’s not as dynamic or varied as it could be, it’s got its charm. If you’re open to it, it just might find a home in you.

Release Details

Trigger The Bloodshed

Degenerate

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