Elimination

Elimination – Icon of Despair
Roasted by Rob Sutton

Ugh! Thrash, my least favourite of the Metal genres and here I am presented with Ipswich based Elimination. I suppose being from Ipswich means there should be some interesting riffs, what with the extra digits on their hands, but alas we have riffs that sound like they have been used in every Thrash song since the dawn of time.

First up, as always, let’s begin with the vocals and who has resurrected Lemmy?! Man, this facial hair is poorly kept, if this is an imitation of the late great, then I would seriously recommend getting some Gillette on it and save yourself the embarrassment. Anyway, I digress, the actual style seems to be a cross between a shout and a scream much like that of Kreator, but with added constipation. This first scream sounds faker than Katie Prices tits. I think there is an effort to change things up at the beginning of the song with a clean intro, again this is just a vague attempt to be different and stand out from the ever-growing pile of shit this genre throws up. Does this work? Kind of, but it’s more of an after thought… like having a second child. This is continued by a few more melodies throughout the song which do give it a more European feel to it, so I’m guessing these guys were gutted when Brexit happened, as plagiarising the Germans will be a lot harder now. Still, drums are pretty solid and actually sound fat, shame the drummer looks like your Dad when he decides to go to his first Metal gig with you (yep that backwards hat is about as cool as MySpace).

Lyrically, wow! We have the ability to rhyme and it’s used in almost every line. I didn’t realise the education system in Ipswich actually worked, although this is done to the standard of year 6 SATS and not that of a grown educated man. Guitar solos in songs tend to be a highlight for me and while these cut through the mix nicely, it does feel like a bit of a showoff. Well, I guess they have to try and impress women somehow (or men, I don’t judge). Speaking of which there is a lovely woman in the video, if this is one of their girlfriends then wow they are punching… or have money.

Shit! Bassist again, well its Thrash, no one cares about a bassist.

Disclaimer:

None of the above represents my true feelings towards Elimination as they really are one of the best Thrash bands on the UK circuit! Ahhh what the hell, constipated, six fingered Trash metal!

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rob Sutton and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Elimination – Echoes Of The Abyss
Self-Released
Release Date: 29/10/2021
Running Time:
Review by Beth Jones
8/10

This may make me go down in people’s estimation, but Thrash is a genre that, in the past, I have blanket ignored. Classic Thrash just isn’t my thing. I find it, dare I say, a little samey and boring (We can’t all like everything). But recently I’ve been listening to a fair number of more modern Thrash bands, and I have to say that they really appeal to my eclectic proggy brain. They’re angry and violent enough to be Thrash, but they have more about them, and the ability to explore. And the subject of today’s review definitely fall into this category.

UK Thrashers, Elimination, are on their 3^rd album, after originally forming in 2007, then taking a bit of a hiatus between 2013 and 2017. Their press release says that they are “pushing themselves musically and thematically into a new era” with “Echoes Of The Abyss”, so what does it actually sound like?

There’s a simple answer to that really – bloody good!

Opening with ‘Disciples Of The Beast’, we are instantly introduced to something a little different. Droning chords and twin guitars tracking each other build the atmosphere to lead into the track. This gives way to some raw and punishing vocals and rhythms, hinting at Classic Thrash, just with some extra oomph!

The use of two guitarists, who are both equally skilled in the way of noodling twiddly diddly solos, as well as punchy speed riffage, works really well with their sound, too. The sound, incidentally, is explorative and intense from the get go, and this never lets up throughout the album.

‘This Is War’ features a guest appearance from Shrapnel’s Aarran Tucker, which adds another layer to the sound, but also makes this track into the most standard Thrash number on the album. It is hellishly catchy, and I’ve been singing along with it, and even discovering it as an earworm at ridiculous times of the day and night (I must give myself a serious talking to. I appear to be enjoying a genre that I always said I didn’t, and this will do nothing for my credibility as someone who knows what they like, and can talk with a broad scope of knowledge on the subject – damn you imposter syndrome)!!!

There’s some super guitar work in ‘Price of Insanity’, and ‘Victim By Design’ features some machine gun drumming, and schizophrenic guitars, which give it a real urgency, and the intensity of a battering ram to ones…erm… crown jewels (I’m surmising the pain this causes, but all told, it’s a lot)!

‘The Nameless City’ enters the realms of the more exploratory again, with varying sections, changes of rhythm and tempo, and some great displays of technical ability. ‘Blind’ leads us towards the final movement of the album. This is a track that moves from the laboured slowness of the chorus to groove laden riffing sections that make you move. It’s interesting. I like it.

The final track on the album, ‘Infernal’ almost has the essence of 90s Grunge hanging around it in parts, as well as some classic Heavy Metal. It’s an epic track too, at over 10 minutes. But we do get back to the familiar punishing Thrash that makes me want to crank it up to stupid levels and lose my shit to it.

All in all, this is a very pleasing album, from a band who have decided to give this whole music business shit another go. I like it a lot. I think I actually might like thrash now, too. Nicely done Elimination!

TRACKLISTING:
01. Disciples Of The Beast
02. Black Wings
03. This Is War (feat. Aarran Tucker of Shrapnel)
04. Price Of Insanity
05. Victim By Design
06. The Nameless City
07. Blind
08. Infernal

LINE-UP:
Neil Stevens – Bass & Lead Vocals,
Leigh Rumsby – Guitar & Backing Vocals
David Hill – Guitar & Backing Vocals

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Beth Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.