Hidden Intent – Terrorform
Review By: Shell Dahlia
Review Score: 7.5
Australian thrash catalysts ‘Hidden Intent’ are unleashing their fourth album ‘Terrorform’ on the 21st of March. They have already ignited excitement amongst fans by releasing two tracks off the album, ‘The Ruins’ and the title track ‘Terrorform.’ With more ferocious aggression than the Australian Drop Bear, these tracks prepare listeners for a thrash metal hurricane which still embody the raw gritty elements familiar to ‘Hidden Intent’ fans with the addition of melodic finesse and enhanced technicality. The band has decided to take a leap of faith and charter into unknown waters by delivering an album unlike their previous releases, lyrically tackling real-world issues but use Aussie attitude and humour giving them a light-hearted party vibe. The more serious approach ‘Terrorform’ album cover is of a young girls face dripping with blood with an expression of deep rage and aggression which immediately indicates that listeners are in for a different kind of ‘Hidden Intent.’ The risk has paid off because ‘Terrorform’ is ‘Hidden Intent’s’ heaviest most dynamic album to date. Even though some fans may be disappointed that this album lacks ‘piss-takes’ and ‘party vibes,’ the maturity and technicality that elevates the bands finished product on this album will surely win them over.
Originating from the small city of Adelaide, ‘Hidden Intent’ began unleashing their full throttle, 80’s thrash inspired, metal music in 2011. With their high-energy, mosh initiating tunes paired with their Aussie humour laced party vibes, they managed to gain a large following locally and internationally. Their growing popularity opened opportunities to share the stage with numerous heavy hitters on numerous tours in Australia and abroad. So far, the band’s releases include their debut album ‘Walking Through Hell’ in 2013, ‘Fear, Prey, Demise’ in 2018 and ‘Dead End Destiny’ in 2021. Each album showcases their evolution as musicians, each one progressively becoming more technical and polished, but also avoiding overproduction which preserves the bands iconic grit and rawness.
The band’s ability to push their own personal boundaries and try new things is extremely evident on ‘Terrorform.’ Lyrically they explore a topic that every human can relate to and is being impacted by in this current day and age. Inspired by the increase of human destruction and downfall, the songs put forward the idea of removing the things that influence and condition the human mind from birth and beyond. The idea is that things such as traumatic upbringings, extreme ideals, beliefs of others and excessive media influences impact how you think and conduct yourself in life. By removing these influences, people have a clean slate and choose their own path and can think freely without restrictions, allowing humans to choose what sort of person they want to be. This idea suggests that it may be a way to avoid humanities impending doom. In a time where governments control narratives and where social media is causing a brain-rot pandemic, this album could not be more relevant. In terms of sound, Chris McThrashy (vocalist/bass) states that a lot of encouragement for the new elements added to their songs on this album came from their drummer/vocalist Paul Lewis. Being someone who enjoys technical and progressive metal, Paul wanted to build on ‘Hidden Intent’s’ sound by introducing a range of different metal styles into their music, giving the music a dynamic sound that keep listeners guessing and keep them captivated start to finish.
The first single release ‘The Ruins’ is a real crowd pleaser. The song immediately starts churning the mosh pit with low and slow groovy riffs and an explosive pound of drums every few seconds which sets the a solid windmill tempo. Then you are thrown through a plaster wall with lightning-fast riffs, relentless drum beats and in your face vocal assault creating thrash metal chaos, then a tempo shift to catch your breath. With the second single release ‘Terrorform’ the listener is drawn in by majestic open-string guitar harmonies, it then drops into music with more punch than Mike Tyson, awakening the urge to clench a fist and punch the sky. The groove infused palm-muted chugs are similar to the rhythmically engaging riffs found on a ‘Lamb of God’ album on tracks such as ‘Redneck’ and ‘Laid To Rest.’ Shouted gang vocals and a galloping rhythm creates the sense to want to rise as one and fight for the salvation of humanity. The real spanner in the works on this album is ‘One More For The Road’ where the band set themselves the difficult challenge to write a ballad style song which pays homage to those they have lost. It is a good effort from the band but it may struggle to win over fans because it is so different to anything the band has ever put out there. The band slows down on one other track ‘The Loss,’ stunning guitar picking that you can float away to. The rest of the songs stay true to the bands thrash aggression with a couple loose song titles giving it a touch of ‘Hidden Intent’ spice to appease those long-time fans.
‘Hidden Intent’ has taken a massive leap of faith by creating an album that takes them out of their comfort zone and challenges them as musicians then distribute it to the masses uncertain how it will be received by their fellow metal heads. Often, when a band does decide to take the risk and release something with a new sound, it splits the crowd. Some people don’t like change while others will embrace the band giving them something fresh. Personally, I embrace the change and the direction that ‘Hidden Intent’ have taken and can confidently say that this album is my favourite release of theirs to date. The album has the speed, aggression and technical precision ‘Hidden Intent’ are well known for made heavier with tune downs, even more technical precision and finely balanced production. By diving in head first into creating in a different way, the band has created a finished product that is an adventure that will keep listeners guessing and wanting more.
Hidden Intent Is
Phil Bennet – Guitar/Vocals
Chris McThrashy – Bass/Vocals
Paul Lewis – Drums/Vocals
Track list
Paradoxx
The Ruins
Killfatuation
Terrorform (Feat. Guillermo Izquierdo of Angelus Apatrida)
Cum Punch (toxic human)
One More For The Road
Behind The Mask
Cursed and Bound
The Loss
Dyssomnia
Fkn Lose It
Reaper