After reviewing records for a few years, you confirm that the promo sump is quite predictable. When I finish a black metal review, twelve more are behind it. While less overwhelming in number, you can say the same thing about thrash releases. And every one of them is different. Be it legacy bands continuing to create that masterpiece (even if they already did) and others selecting one or many classic bands to emulate and bastardize. In the past, every corner of the globe created its unique genre flavor. But, these days, no style is safe. You got English boys making Metallica thrash as bad or worse than what Metallica ever did. You have Scots blending Slayer with Venom and Brazilians mashing up Warbringer with the old Bay Area thrash scene. These last offenders are the subject of this review. Brazil’s Blackning1 have been producing concise neo-thrash records for nearly a decade. After a six-year hiatus, this quartet is back with their third album, Awakening Rage2. As with so many thrash greats, will this third offering be the band’s epic masterpiece? Or will it be forgotten like so many others before it?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I rather enjoy Blackning’s previous releases. Twenty-sixteen’s Alienation, in particular, is an energetic approach. At a mere thirty-three minutes, it pairs the aggressive riffage with hardcore-ish vocals that provide hints of Max Cavalera. Songs like “Thru the Eyes” and “Dark Days” are absolute stompers, and the album’s arrangement makes it relentless without being boring. The songs also heavily utilize the bass and drums to keep everything fresh and exciting (see “The Rotten Institution”). So, I was excited about Awakening Rage. But what I found versus what I expected completely zapped my enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, it’s evident from the start that this is no Alienation. Instead of kicking the album off strong, “Violate”3 meanders from headache-inducing marches to Swashbuckle-y guitar tone, topping it all off with a forgettable chorus. Halfway through the song, I already knew this thing was going nowhere. But it still has more going on than the one-dimensional “Never to Be Free.” This song delivers an odd riff that tries to be happy when the vocals try to be mean. It has an aggressive mix of overlapping vocals and gang shouts, but it’s so repetitive that I never return to it.
The album also uses a couple of one-minute instrumentals to introduce succeeding tracks. “Disfigured Trust” uses some tasty Slayer licks to set up “Lamb to the Slaughter,” transitioning nicely to expand on said riffs. But the other instance of this does not work. “Lex Talionis” is the most brickwalled track on that album, and when it transitions to “Vengence Is Mine,”4 it’s noticeable. The instrumental consists of chunky riffs that do nothing to introduce its compatriot. Once “Vengeance Is Mine” kicks in, everything falls flat.
But not all is lost. “Lamb to the Slaughter” dives into some Slayer influence, erupting into a fun, kickass lick in the chorus. The pissed-off vocals keep the track-focused as it transitions from a thrashing to a melodic passage, where we find the guitar solo soaring high. “Insanity in Power” mixes the influences to deliver a sinister, dark, brooding Pantera/Throwdown-inspired piece. But the song that stands out the most is “Eye for an Eye.” Opening with some Testament-inspired bass work, this mid-paced monster chugs through the best chorus on the album. At nearly seven minutes in length, there are various opportunities to introduce new riffs, as well as multiple building moments. It’s also one of those tracks where you can discover more layers with each listen.
To say Awakening Rage was a disappointment is an understatement. After such a successful run with Order of Chaos and Ascension, this new record is definitely a letdown. While the previous album felt inspiring and spontaneous, Awakening Rage feels forced and emotionless., which is a shame considering the amount of content. But that’s also the problem. This new album is ten minutes longer than Ascension, and with that comes significant filler. If you ditch the meandering, go-nowhere tracks and shorten up others, you’d have a tight and enjoyable thrash record here. But, unfortunately, I won’t be returning to this one.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Black Lion Records | Bandcamp5
Websites: blackning.bandcamp.com6 | facebook.com/blackningmetal
Releases Worldwide: July 28th, 2023
