Despite being released in 2011 by a Swedish band, the music on Inevitable Decay sounds almost exactly like what we could've expected from the late eighties American extreme thrash metal scene. Fast-paced riffs, angst-ridden vocals, and dashes of technicality all make up Entrench's debut effort, and the overall intensity of this near-forty minute album is astounding. Even if Entrench may linger a bit too much in the shadows of their ancestors, Inevitable Decay is an absolutely kick-ass album that all fans of old school thrash metal should get a hold of. Entrench is one of the more promising bands in the recent thrash revivalist movement for sure!
The first thing that's noticeable about Inevitable Decay is that it's entirely void of modern influences. Not just in musical style, but also in the sound production and even the songwriting formulas. The production is just about as raw and unpolished as it gets, and even though it's far from "sonically perfect", I think it suits Entrench's style perfectly. The songwriting also has a strong foundation in riff-heavy speed metal, filled with fast drum patterns and frantic guitar riffs. There are a lot of riff-changes within Entrench's songs, though, and none of the songs ever linger in one area for too long. This is a fast-paced journey into old school thrash metal, and a damn good one at that.
If you're looking for innovation in Inevitable Decay, odds are that you'll come out pretty disappointed. But if you're in search of an album that successfully pays homage to early death/thrash and has some of the most powerful riffs you'll hear this entire year, it's hard to consider Entrench's debut anything but a success. Fans of Slayer, Kreator, and the like should find plenty to love with Inevitable Decay - I know I did! 3.5 stars are very well-deserved for this promising young act.
Track Listing:
1. As Dawn Breaks
2. Debt of Sorrow
3. Portrait of a Phobia
4. Into Oblivion
5. Doubt What's Left
6. Blind Illusion
7. Crossing the River
8. Where Only Ruins Remain
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