Trauma-Rapture And Wrath

Pure Steel Records
2015

Best known for being Cliff Burton's band before he went off and joined Metallica in 1983, Trauma is a U.S. power/speed metal band that was originally active from 1981 to 1985 before reforming in 2013. Not to be confused with the dozen plus other bands who have laid claim to the same moniker (or for that matter the other Trauma from California!), San Francisco's Trauma issued it's first recording in 1982 in the form of a three-track demo. While it was really nothing special it is nonetheless worth mentioning that on that particular demo bass duties were undertaken by the late, great Cliff Burton. In addition to releasing the 1982 demo Trauma ended up appearing on the Metal Blade Record's "Metal Massacre II" compilation with the decent enough song "Such a Shame". Two years later this Bay Area band released the full-length debut album, "Scratch and Scream", and while it was a decent enough LP the group's (N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused)  power/speed metal style didn't exactly set the world on fire. Overshadowed by their more successful neighbors the band eventually called it a day in 1985. While another demo cassette did appear in 1984 (one which I have honestly not heard) for Trauma it was all too short of a ride and that might have been the last we heard from the band if not for the folks at Shrapnel Records. In 2013 the band was asked if they would be willing to play out live once more in support of the reissue of their debut album. Quite obviously one thing lead to another as here is 2015 and we are just now getting a good look at the band's proper follow-up to "Scratch and Scream". Seeing as it's been thirty years since this band last released a full-length album you might just be asking if there is a place for Trauma these days. After all a lot has changed since the band first released "Scratch and Scream" and the landscape of heavy metal has undergone far too many transformations.Can a band like Trauma simply walk into a party and shakes things up? Thankfully the answer is a firm yes as "Rapture And Wrath" is not only the proper follow-up to "Scratch and Scream", but a better album through and through! For those of us who were left mostly unimpressed by Trauma's debut album (as I know I'm not alone in feeling that "Scratch and Scream" was merely "OK"*) this new disc almost sounds like a completely different/way more appealing band! While "Rapture And Wrath" sees the return of sole original member Donny Hillier (a high pitched vocalist who was also in Black Sunday Dream) and "Scratch and Scream" contributor Kris Gustofson (a skilled drummer who not only played on "Scratch and Scream", but also plays with the underrated melodic heavy metal band, St. Elmo's Fire) this is really the sound of a completely new band! This is most definitely a band that grew more mature and consistent with time and it is also one that blossomed into a spectacularly fresh unit in the end! It's taken Trauma some thirty years to do it, but they did it all the same! Whether that has anything to do with the stylish playing of guitarist Kurt Fry (guitars) or the contributions of new (as of 2014) and improved bass guitarist Steve Robello** (Dublin Death Patrol, ex-Heist, ex-Rock the Nation (Montrose/Hagar tribute) and ex-Out of Control) isn't so much the question as is where was this band back in the mid-eighties when we really could have used and appreciated them all the more! Maybe it simply is the natural progression of musicians as they age, but lead singer Donny Hillier sounds so much better here as does drummer Kris Gustofson. First off Donny has gone from screeching like a possessed version of Joey Belladonna (Anthrax) to having a voice that is similar to that of Bruce Dickenson! Considering Trauma's long-standing appreciation for band's like Iron Maiden it is a perfect fit here on "Rapture And Wrath". And as for the drumming of Kris Gustofson? One can't help but think that all that time he spent playing in a melodic hard rock band has really paid off. There is a marked improvement in his timing and no matter what type of metal is thrown at him on this 50+ minute recording he is always spot on! Whether it's N.W.O.B.H.M. dressed up as classic heavy metal ("Heart Of Stone" and "Kingdom Come") or a cut that looks to blend the likes of (solo) Dio, Black Sabbath and Pantera together ("The Walking Dead") Trauma's faithful drummer does his duty the best that he can. As this album does flirts with the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio it's only natural that a good guitarist is needed to move things along. Here's where Kurt Fry proves his worth. While Trauma's last full-length release required the services of two guitarists the group's latest release shows everyone how less can be more. The solos on "Pain", "The Walking Dead", "Egypt" and "Don’t Tread On Me" are each splendid in their own way as is the nice Metal Church-like guitar work of "Kingdom Come". Fry does well when teamed up with bass guitarist Steve Robello as the pair make for a formidable tag team. While the mix job of "Rapture And Wrath" doesn't always leave the guitarist of Trauma standing in the right light his playing compliments the four-string rocker standing next to him. With these two one side and the vocalist and drummer on the other side you are left with the sensation that here stands a classic heavy metal four-piece band. As it combines a lot of eighties elements the reference to classic heavy metal foursomes seems about right and if you take anything away from this review at all then take that to heart. The new Trauma disc is most-likely to appeal to eighties purists seeing as it wears those influences rather proudly. From the N.W.O.B.H.M. to eighties metal it's all here and when you take into account it's little winks towards older power and speed metal this new Trauma album actually picks right up where their debut left off! It's not without it's faults of course (see the mix job comment) and it's far ways off from being 2015's top heavy metal release (there's other issues with the production and there sure seems to be a lot of re-used riffs between the ten cuts here), but it's definitely a step up from the band's 1984 debut album and it's a real step in the right direction for these San Fran metalheads! I'm actually looking forward to seeing what's next for Trauma because I have this peculiar feeling that should there be a full-length album number three for Donny Hillier and company (and I truly hope there is one) it will be the one to really set Trauma s name in stone!

* See here and the second review here 

**No, we are are not talking about Cliff Burton. The group's current bass player is a marked improvement over "Scratch and Scream" contributor Lucas Advicula and not necessarily Cliff Burton!Just so that we are all clear on that point!

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!

Potential Threat SF-Civilization Under Threat

Old School Metal Records
2013

 
There can't be that many surviving Bay Area thrash bands left from the eighties that weren't signed to majors right? And yet here we have this 5-piece bunch that, despite not signing to a record label until the release of 2009's "A New Threat Level", have been (seemingly) active since they formed back in 1986! With their first recording,  "Demo #1", coming out in 1988, this San Francisco, California act has managed to keep the Bay Area thrash spirit alive with "Civilization Under Threat" just their second full-length release! Sure, there has been a few demos in-between, but that has to say something for their dedication. The Metal Archives claims that they've opened for the likes of Testament, Slayer, Cro-Mags, Nuclear Assault and Death Angel since forming. I don't doubt that at all and I'd wager a buck or two that, given when they formed and where they hail from, they have probably shared the stage with a ton of equally impressive thrash metal artists. Potential Threat SF (with the "SF" added on later in what I would suspect to be an attempt to differentiate themselves from the excellent female-fronted UK hardcore/punk band of the same name) are probably not going to set the world on fire anytime soon with their own take on thrash, but that doesn't mean you can't just sit back and enjoy this one on it's own merits. The engineering and mastering was done by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Testament, Heathen) at Trident Studios and, at close to sixty minutes in length, there is a lot to appreciate here if you love old-school thrash. And make no mistake about it folks as this is thrash. No crossover and no death tinges. Just pure old-school thrash. If that's your thing then scoop this up. Otherwise the only things left to say is this: Does TT Quick have an issue with your logo guys?