The press materials list the St. Louis act calling themselves Black Fast as "conjuring the spirit of the late, great Chuck Schuldiner of Death while channeling the viciousness of Megadeth's young-and-hungry Dave Mustaine and blistering aggression of Kreator's Mille Petrozza." That's not far from the end result, though I'd throw in a little Children of Bodom to make it completely accurate. This four piece, comprised of Aaron Akin (Vocals/Guitar), Trevor Johanson (Guitar), Ryan Thompson (Bass), and Ross Burnett (Drums), don't screw around one bit, going for the jugular right from the opening track "The Keep" and never deviating throughout Terms of Surrender, delivering their brand of thrashy, technical death/black metal with pure force every step of the way. If you love inventive, speedy and complex riff-o-rama, there's plenty to be savored, from the wild "To Propagate the Void", the mosh friendly "Tongues of Silver", to the pure headbanging frenzy of "Haunted Vigil", each one packed to the gills with slashing riffs and blazing lead guitar solos. Rhythms are non-stop galloping every step of the way, and Akin's vocals are a throaty, growling roar, not unlike what you would hear on a vintage Death, Children of Bodom, Destruction, or Kreator album. If I have one criticism, it's that most of the tunes are so dead set on rampaging at full throttle that the album overall lacks a bit of variety, but the playing is stellar throughout, so it's hard to fault the guys much in that department.
This is a young band that is certainly on the rise, and as solid as Terms of Surrender is, I think the best is yet to come from them. Fans of the classic Bay Area thrash scene, as well as melodic death & black metal with a technical twist, will find much to enjoy here.
Track Listing
1) The Keep
2) To Propagate the Void
3) The Coming Swarm
4) Tongues of Silver
5) I Conspire
6) Haunted Vigil
7) The Fall
8) Vacuous Idol
9) Until Dust
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
