H.M.P. - The Undead Hour

Self Produced
2008

H.M.P. or Heavy Metal Poetry hail from Seattle and obviously very well versed in classic style thrash. They released a full length album back in 2007 and have since followed it up with this three track EP. Since there are only three songs I will break them down individually. The opener “Torn” comes busting out of the gates with a sound that is very much like mid-80’s Slayer only with an even thicker sound at times. The guitar solo reminds more of the blazing style used by Metallica in their early days. H.M.P. approaches this song similar to a sprinter in that they launch into one fast flying burst of adrenaline. Up next is “The Undead Hour” which continues the frantic pace established in “Torn”. I heard more of an early Testament influence on this although again definitely heavier. The vocals are even more powerful this time around and the drums are tearing it up like crazy as they storm ahead. Wrapping up this album is “The Pharoah’s Curse” which is the longest track on the album as it clocks in 5:22. This song had me fooled because it started out very basic and actually remained that way for a while. Then a little before the half-way point it just busts out and plunges forward with a full head of steam. It turned out to be the most complex song on the album as well. My only complaint about this disc is that the songs tend to run together because they do not seem to know to draw the songs to an end. That is minor though because this is a great dose of frantic, head banging thrash with a good amount more power and emotion behind it. Certainly an up and coming band that is worth checking out.

http://www.myspace.com/hmpband