Atrophy – Asylum
Origin: USA
Release: 15.03.2024
Label: Massacre Records
Duration: 44:17
Genre: Thrash Metal
Comeback albums aren’t that rare lately. However, a comeback after 34 years is not a very common occurrence. Between 1988 and 1990, the Americans from Tuscan, USA had their career peak and were able to release two brilliant thrash gems that still resonate with the fan base today. This is what many early thrashers describe Violent by Nature as her favorite album. Unfortunately, this album never received the attention it deserved. Original founding member and singer Brian Zimmermann now has a whole new crew at the start and are now trying to restart. All I can say is: fortunately! This album builds on old heroic deeds.
Thrash has to be critical and political
Atrophy are actually starting where they left off 34 years ago. Fast, technical, American thrash metal with an extra portion of social criticism and definitely highly political. Just like this genre was in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Anyone who says that metal was apolitical back then hasn’t really studied the bands’ lyrics or simply hasn’t understood them. Beyond that, you just have to say that Brian Zimmerman has not forgotten any of the qualities of a frontman. I even have to say his shouts have become a bit more varied. His vocal passages and his timing are full of pressure and are homogeneous to the instrumental section.
Return forever?
For me, the band took a lot of time for the songs because all nine grenades are very detailed. Every pronounced solo sits in the right place. I am particularly impressed by the density of hits on the album.
Sledgehammer like the opener Punishment For All or the brilliant Seeds of Sorrow You don’t just write in passing. You absolutely have to listen to the latter song HERE pull into. The rejuvenation within the band means there are a lot of new ideas, but they still maintain their old spirit and deliver flawless speed thrash metal of the highest quality. Something like this can be profitable inspiration for young bands and for old bands it can be a step in the right direction as to what a comeback looks like.
Conclusion
Asylum is a powerful old-school thrash album and represents… Atrophy represents a perfect new beginning. As a fan, you want a return to the music business, where only good music is in the foreground. Hopefully this band continues to experience its third spring. This album will do many more laps on the turntable. Excellent 9 / 10
Line Up
Brian Zimmerman – Gesang
Nathan Montalvo – guitar
Mark Coglan – guitar
Josh Gibbs – Bass
Jonas Shütz – drums
Tracklist
01. Punishment For All
02. High Anxiety
03. Seeds Of Sorrow
04. Distortion
05. Bleeding Out
06. American Dream
07. Close My Eyes
08. The Apostle
09. Five Minutes ‘Til Suicide
Links
Facebook Atrophy
Instagram Atrophy
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