Suffocated By the Sun
Reviewed by: Jim Harrison
Rating: 8.5
Thrash/Death metal band Blackscape, are set to release their debut album Suffocated By the Sun through Massacre Records on July 7, 2023. Even though it’s the first under Blackscape all three members have a metal pedigree coming in from a multitude of bands such as Darkane, The Project Hate and STASS to name a few. Members Lawrence Mackrory vocalist, Tage Andersson guitar/bass and Thomas Ohlsson drums, are a tight knit trio who have recorded a fast paced heavy thrash album that keeps your adrenaline flowing from the first note.
The album starts with “Waste of Humanity” which has an interesting start that sounds like a hard rock song but then the guitar rips into a thrash riff and knocks you down. Mackrory’s vocals are strong and this song is one of my favourites on the album. Both tracks “Bow To Me” and the title track “Suffocated By the Sun” were the prereleased tracks that give you a window and an expectation on what Blackscape is all about, heavy riffage, solid drum beat, with killer vocals. These two tracks I am sure will be staples in a live show. Fourth track “Enslaved” starts again with a lone guitar riff then explodes, the growling heavy voice of Mackrory’s vocals has a Chuck Billy vibe from Testament’s darker album Demonic. “Nailed To The Cross” begins with a drum assault and again has a cool old school thrash vibe to it. My other favourite track “First In Line” has a cool drum beat and the guitar is heavy. I like my thrash heavy but with a melodic side to it, another track that will be awesome live with fans going crazy. “Colonized By the Dark” has a Pantera vibe that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let you go. The next song is “Purified Disease”that has another great melodic sound coupled with heavy thrash. The heaviest track on this album vocally is “Stained by Sin”, the chugging dark vocals change up lighter during the chorus giving this song a layering that makes it sound fantastic. The last track is titled “Blackscape” (CD bonus track) which is an instrumental that finished the album off in style. I love it when darker thrash bands have the balls to add not just an intro but a full on instrumental song that showcases their musicianship.
The album art by Pär Olofsson who has done album art for bands like Exodus and Traitor in the past captures the essence of this album.
If I had to sum this album up with two words it would be huge and heavy. For old school thrash fans and a newer audience looking for a fresh, consistent offering this is for you. With such a strong debut I can’t wait to see what they do next. I recommend this album.
Lawrence Mackrory vocals
Tage Andersson guitar/bass
Thomas Ohlsson drums