Hatriot-Dawn Of The New Centurion

Massacre Records
2014

Due to be released in a few weeks time, "Dawn Of The New Centurion", which serves as the follow-up to Hatriot's 2013 debut album, "Heroes of Origin", is more of the same from Steve "Zetro" Souza and his brothers & sons in metal. For those in the know that translates into (more) old-school thrash metal (Exodus, Death Angel, Testament, Forbidden, Dark Angel, etc.) with Steve "Zetro" Souza and his sons (bassist Cody Souza and drummer Nick Souza) joining together with "young guitar wizard" Kosta "V" and guitarist Justin Cole for some mosh metal madness! Now, for those of you not familiar with Steve "Zetro" Souza then here's the deal. Most of us (older) metalheads relate Steve to his time with Exodus (starting with the album "Pleasures of the Flesh" Zetro was with the band from 1986 until 1992 and then from 2002 to 2004 during which time he contributed to countless albums), but with time spent in Legacy (Testament), Dublin Death Patrol, Tenet, F-Bomb, Metal Warrior, AC/DZ (an AC/DC cover band) and guest spots on albums by the likes of Angerhead, Forbidden and Panic this veteran front-man has been "there and back" time and time again! With Hatriot Steve does what he does best-thrash out! Sure, there are melodic moments and tracks that don't quite fall into the straight-up thrash genre ("The Fear Within" being one), but for what it's billed as ("thrash metal") that's pretty much what you get-THRASH. As the band still hails from the Bay Area they have that distinctive edge and most certainly the vibe. And while their last album was good and all (what with it being similar-themed Bay Area thrash worship and all!) I for one don't quite remember it (Hatriot's sound) being this furious! On "Dawn Of The New Centurion" Hatriot sounds restless and hungry. It's almost like they are holding up a sign saying "Will thrash your socks off for food!" with Steve "Zetro" Souza sounding as deadly as ever (if not more so!). If and album like "Dawn Of The New Centurion" doesn't reestablish Steve as one of thrash metal's greatest (currently active) front-men then frankly people are just not paying enough proper attention to the scene!