Gama Bomb - Tales from the Grave in Space

February 8, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

Irish thrashers Gama Bomb have released an excellent sequel to Citizen Brain in their latest studio album Tales from the Grave in Space. Full throttle tempos, humorous lyrics, and great guitar solos make this album a true comic thrash masterpiece. Best of all, the album is available for free from the Earache Records website!

Gama Bomb, a relatively young band from Ireland, have been bringing traditional thrash metal to the table since their EP, The Survival Option, in 2002. These guys are thrash purists and their latest album, Tales from the Grave in Space, is no exception. Fast riffing, technical drumming, and vocals reminiscent of early Anthrax permeate the album. Producer Scott Atkins mixed the album meticulously.

These Irishmen do not turn it down throughout the album- the longest song, "Skeletron," clocks in at just over three minutes. Rest assured that this album is full speed ahead from start to finish! The album opens up with a very brief intro- it reminds me of a condensed version of the intro to KISS's "Detroit Rock City" - of under three seconds long. Immediately the crunchy riffs kick in; the opening of "Hit the Lights" on Metallica's Kill 'em All comes to mind.  Vocalist Philly Byrne contributes to the overall early 80's Bay-Area thrash feel of the album as well.  I only heard traces of Irish Brogue at a few points during listening to Tales from the Grave in Space. I suppose a California accent makes thrash metal feel more genuine.

The instrumental work on Tales from the Grave in Space further adds to the 80s feel of the album. Domo Dixon's guitar solos are precise and creative, at times employing tapping, bends, and dive-bombs, while the riffing throughout the album is rock solid. Joe McGuigan's bass guitar is prominently mixed and his skills are not to be overlooked, while drummer Paul Caffrey can be heard throughout the album with his complex fills. Gama Bomb is definitely on top of their musical game.

As the album title Tales from the Grave in Space may suggest, the lyrical themes that Gama Bomb addresses are not akin to those on a typical Vader album. Lyrics are often light-hearted and funny; songs like "Return to Blood Castle" and "Mummy Invasion" are definitely influenced by cartoons, comic books, and computer games of past decades. My personal favorite track on the album, "Last Ninjas Unite", which features awesome ninja sound effects, has the following refrain: "Fighting! Iron fisted men/Masked faces drop from above/All ninjas join forces and hands/Guerilla warfare tonight!"

The lyrics on Tales from the Grave in Space are not all fun and games, though. Opening track "Slam Anthem" addresses the concept of revolting against government, while "Mussolini Mosh" takes on the issue of xenophobia. If you don't think there's enough substance on this relatively short album I have good news: Gama Bomb released a physical copy of Tales from the Grave in Space in January that includes an EP entitled Half Cut, which contains five additional tracks. I haven't been able to locate a copy as of yet, but I am eager to hear what else these Irish thrashers have to offer.

Tales from the Grave in Space is definitely a sign that thrash metal is experiencing a revival of sorts. If young bands like Gama Bomb continue in their noble pursuit of making good old-fashioned thrash, the younger generation will not have to spend nearly as much time in used record stores!  Viva la Thrash!

Release Date: November 5th, 2009
Label: Earache Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Slam Anthem
2.  New Eliminators of Atlantis B.C. 
3.  Three Witches
4.  Last Ninjas Unite 
5.  Escape from
     Scarecrow Mountain
6.  Mussolini Mosh 
7.  We Respect You 
8.  Apocalypse 1997
9.  Return to Blood Castle
10.  Polterghost 
11.  Skeletron
12.  Mummy Invasion 

Total playing time:  30:56

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