HIDDEN INTENT
Hidden Intent return with their sophomore effort, ‘Fear, Prey, Demise’, which brings back frontman, bassist, vocalist and ex-Abyzmal band member Chris McEwen. Joining him are Phil Bennet on guitars and Paul Lewis on drums. This work was mixed and mastered by Andrew Kite at Against the Grain Studio, as well. ‘All Things Rotten’ did the artwork, which really stands out!
These Aussie thrash-heads return and are ready to unload their 80s/90s style of metal that absolutely pays no mind or apologizes for having a bit of a retro sound. It is a welcome change from the norm! From the get go, you are tossed into the thrash atmosphere with the sounds and the lyrics. Hidden Intent do not keep their style ‘hidden’ very well, and I wonder if this was their intention or not. ‘Prey for your Death’ and ‘Addicted to Thrash’ have some often hilarious lyrics that will give the listener a mild snicker, while headbanging with their friends!
The true killer track on this album is ‘Waiting Here in Hell’, as its pacing and audio cues are far more original than any other tracks found within this release. It has a slow bass pronging that, while not exactly earth shattering, is super fitting when it builds towards an unexpected guitar transition in the chorus. It feels like it continues building and building and the payoff is worth it. Well done!
‘Apocalypse Now’ is another great track that steps out of the shadows and offers excellent instrumental portions and a hell of a guitar solo! ‘Eternal Rest’ continues this momentum to an albeit slightly lesser extent, but still the overall speed is something to behold! Very powerful chords and blistering pacing bring to the fold some of the better thrash we have heard this year.
It must be noted here that this album gets a few jabs for lack of originality but, on a few tracks that truly stand out, it’s really easy to see many thrash fans eating this album up. This tried and true formula will not disappoint.
These Aussie thrash-heads return and are ready to unload their 80s/90s style of metal that absolutely pays no mind or apologizes for having a bit of a retro sound. It is a welcome change from the norm! From the get go, you are tossed into the thrash atmosphere with the sounds and the lyrics. Hidden Intent do not keep their style ‘hidden’ very well, and I wonder if this was their intention or not. ‘Prey for your Death’ and ‘Addicted to Thrash’ have some often hilarious lyrics that will give the listener a mild snicker, while headbanging with their friends!
The true killer track on this album is ‘Waiting Here in Hell’, as its pacing and audio cues are far more original than any other tracks found within this release. It has a slow bass pronging that, while not exactly earth shattering, is super fitting when it builds towards an unexpected guitar transition in the chorus. It feels like it continues building and building and the payoff is worth it. Well done!
‘Apocalypse Now’ is another great track that steps out of the shadows and offers excellent instrumental portions and a hell of a guitar solo! ‘Eternal Rest’ continues this momentum to an albeit slightly lesser extent, but still the overall speed is something to behold! Very powerful chords and blistering pacing bring to the fold some of the better thrash we have heard this year.
It must be noted here that this album gets a few jabs for lack of originality but, on a few tracks that truly stand out, it’s really easy to see many thrash fans eating this album up. This tried and true formula will not disappoint.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Scarlet Records
Album
FEAR, PREY, DEMISE
Review by Joshua Jaeger
RUNNING TIME:
49:37
RELEASE DATE:
6th July 2018
TRACK LISTING
1) Prey for Your Death
2) Addicted to Thrash
3) Seeds of Hate
4) Drop Bears are Real
5) Waiting Here in Hell
6) Apocalypse Now
7) Eternal Rest
8) Petrified
9) Step Into the Light
10) Imminent Psychosis
2) Addicted to Thrash
3) Seeds of Hate
4) Drop Bears are Real
5) Waiting Here in Hell
6) Apocalypse Now
7) Eternal Rest
8) Petrified
9) Step Into the Light
10) Imminent Psychosis
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Australia
"...it’s really easy to see many thrash fans eating this album up. This tried and true formula will not disappoint."
