Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 01:56 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Thrash Metal
Country: Luxembourg
Label: Hänsel & Gretel
Year: 2016
It’s been long since I last dove into the new thrash metal releases, but Scarlet Anger caught my eye. Scarlet Anger is a Thrash Metal act from Luxembourg, founded in 2007 by vocalist Joe Block and guitarist Fred Molitor. Since their formation they have released two demos, an EP and a full length. “Freak Show”, the album we’re dealing with today, is the band’s second full length record, showing an escalation in personal growth and maturity. Scarlet Anger are mixing the aggression of thrash metal with overflowing melodies, the result of which is actually interesting, especially in times when the “new school” thrash metal bands sound all the same and one’s compositions are similar to the compositions of the next band in line. There are many good ideas, creating an aspiration for even greater things, though the guitar work needs to be more imaginative, exploring, and adventurous. There is certainly an eagerness to stand out from the lot, though most of their playing fits traditional structures, thus the band lacks that shot that’ll rocket their material to the sky. I really wanted the production to have much more depth, as everything sounds flat, while the mixing should have been better as well. It seems that the instruments have not combined in a good and fitting way, therefore lowering the quality the band’s effort. On the plus side, Ι truly enjoyed the layouts of the booklet and the cover artwork, being a big fan of 80s-90s-00s comics. It’s actually why they caught my eye. Classic eighties and nineties comics and horror stories served as their main inspiration. Additionally, and this might sound weird or something to some of you, Ι was pleasantly surprised to thump through the band’s photographs. FINALLY, a thrash metal act that smiles and conveys positive energy and warm feelings. Enough with the trying-to-look-badass expressions, full of pretentious hatred and constipation – like looks (though everybody knows that’s just an act, so it’s ridiculous). “Freak Show” was released on March 18th 2016 via Hänsel & Gretel / MIG Music.
3/6
