Black Breath - Razor to Oblivion EP

February 19, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Seattle’s Black Breath has unleashed an EP called Razor to Oblivion that seems a fair meshing of 80’s U.K. black thrash and some L.A. punk not quite like Black Flag, but a little more advanced than, say, Flipper. Clocking in at just under fifteen minutes, the EP is a decent undertaking and certainly not a waste of time. Crossover fans of the D.R.I. persuasion might be disappointed the songs are not nearly as obstreperous or volatile, but for the simplicity therein the tracks are a fine trip to take. Aside from a 2006 demo, this is the band’s true break-out attempt, and for what it is it’s an EP definitely worth checking out. It’s cool, man - plain and simple.

Vocally, Nate McAdams has one of those styles that is far from original, but rides that not-so-fine line between a more modern Ihsahn and early Tom G. Warrior rasp, which are both interesting and entertaining. Musically the band has decent production, a bit thin in the bottom end, but overall the charm is certainly not lost on this little EP that could make some noise if it made the rounds. The Sabbath-esque influences are certainly there (what metal band can’t lay claim to that?), but wrap those in some thrash elements and some good groove spells and you’ve got an interesting offspring to say the least.

As a fan of the Celtic Frost/Venom/Hellhammer era I can enjoy this band quite well, especially since my punk roots allow for such a hybrid to occasionally throw a wrench into my comfortable niche. It’s heavy, plowing, head-banging music for sure, but with the hardcore influences slightly rounding the edges it makes for a damn good experience all around if you’re so inclined. I truly enjoyed this EP and look forward to some other offerings from this band if the buzz around them resonates. No overdoing things, no semantics, and no duck-and-weave here - it’s a good collection of songs made for the thrasher punk in all of us.

Release Date: November 11, 2008
Label: Hot Mass Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Razor To Oblivion
2.  Fatal Error
3.  Beneath The Crust
4.  Murder

Total playing time:  14:47

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