Gama Bomb-Citizen Brain

Earache
2008



Whenever someone mentions 80's thrash bands I often get the image of long haired guys wearing black band shirts, leather jackets, black straight leg jeans and white, scuffed hi-top Nikes. Oh and you can't smile of course because that would be very unmetal like or something. Unless you're Anthrax because they dressed different and didn't have to be asked twice to ham it up. That was all part of their image too, but it helped to set them apart. Of course putting out albums the caliber of "Spreading the disease" and "Among the living" didn't hurt in separating them from the majority of the pack of striving thrash hopefuls either. Ireland's Gama Bomb remind me of Anthrax in some ways, not that their vocalist is running across the stage wearing a multi-colored headdress nor should he. Yet these guys have a sense of humor and they sound a bit like mid-late 1980's Anthrax. They have a rather straight ahead, tight chugging sound with the group choruses chiming in. They also have some parts that remind me a little of early Metallica and Agent Steel as well. The lyrics are general silliness about such topics as beer, zombies, thrashing, head-smashing hammer wielding psycho clowns and General Zod (you know of Superman 2 fame). I love the booklet with pictures of their lyrics placed on old video game boxes, DVD cases and various other odd locations. This band isn't going to be accused of being overly creative, but they are severely active in the way in which they charge crazily at their instruments. I think that one of the interesting aspects about thrash is that a chaotic approach can work better than an ordered approach if it's done right and that's what you get here. Like most of the new wave thrash acts emerging today Gama Bomb are not doing much that hasn't already been done. Yet what they are recording is entertaining just because they plunge at it like they really believe in what they are doing and then you begin to believe in them as well.

http://www.myspace.com/gamabomb