Thætas is fairly new to the death metal scene and other than a demo and a split, released their debut album Shrines to Absurdity on the awesome Maggot Stomp record label several months back.  What got me real hyped about this album and band is the fact they hail from my home state New York, so I knew, I just had an inkling this would be some serious brutality.

9 songs in 31 minutes therefore there really is no time filler shit.   “All Consuming Dread” starts with a slight intro and then right into these massive heavy slow pit-inducing moments with guttural vocals thus reaching the depths of the brown notes.  Some shrieks and a little solo action and then about midway into the song getting into a vintage 90’s death/thrash beat and vintage 90’s death metal pinch harmonics to rip your head off.  The song speeds along, and I really enjoy the plucky bass guitar sound.  It’s definitely a stand out on this debut album.

“Blood Distillery” is up next and is more of a death/thrash fast paced beat before erupting into a nice gravity blast section and then right into that vintage 90’s death metal speed and super gurgly and guttural vocals.  I love the slow down, then back into the faster sections and then this trade off keeps going back n forth for a bit.  More squealing guitars and guttural vocals.  The 2 minute slow-down is not long enough, before going into the faster section, but it is placed nicely.  The title track has a monster mid-paced heavy opening which must be in their live set, once live shows continue.  If they opened the live show with this opening moment I doubt anyone would be left standing.  Then it’s off to the races with the faster moments, pinch harmonics and then right into the gravity blasting.  The super heavy guitar chugging riff over the blast section at the 2 minute mark is outstanding.  The song gets into a little weird section, almost a bit dissonant and then into the killer mid-paced part which is there to cause massive destruction.  The song picks up speed again.

“Envy the Stillborn” gets right back into the massive fast part and then slows down with pinch harmonics equipped to slice your jaw clean off that pathetic face of yours.  Then more death/thrash moments and a nice isolated bass guitar moment.  Excellent rhythm section at the 1.40 part, which is slower and the riffs can breathe.  A great growl and then right into the slow-down slam part that is really earth-shattering and ultra-heavy. “Isixhenxe” has some massive slow down slams and super heaviness too.

Thætas has released a really nice debut album with Shrines to Absurdity.  Now there are many influences you can pick out in this album, from my alma mater, Internal Bleeding to Skinless and even some Parasitic Ejaculation.  There is nothing on this album you have not heard before, but the band plays with much conviction.  Part of my goal, as a reviewer, is not to always review the bigger bands out there, but also those diamonds in the rough, smaller bands, who very much need the exposure, especially during this horrid pandemic, when bands are just bobbing above water to remain relevant without live shows.  So yes, please like the Thætas FB page and go to their site on bandcamp.  Support these younger and new acts folks!

 

[Visit the band's website]

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