The Thrash Metal genre really began to take off when the likes of METALLICA, SLAYER and EXODUS released their first albums. A lot of other Thrash Metal bands soon followed suit. One of them that saw the light of day in 1985 is SADUS. They are from Antioch, California, USA, and now, some 38 years later, they have released “The Shadow Inside”, their sixth studio album. I would have expected them to have a lot more albums under their belt, especially after listening to “The Shadow Inside”. And to beat you to the chase, it will take you back to the eighties and make you relive some of the best Thrash Metal memories you ever might have had.

During their lengthy history there were only ever four members in SADUS, of which two are still active, which are drummer John Allen and guitarist and singer Darren Travis. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio left the band in 2015, and guitarist Rob Moore left way before that, in 1994. As the record company NUCLEAR BLAST has not provided me with any information at all, I have found all the information concerning the line-up on their website. So, if it’s not accurate or even incomplete, I apologise in advance.

Well then, back to the music. Opener “First Blood” could have easily appeared on “Reign In Blood”, as the SLAYER influences are very prevalent. Second song “Scorched And Burnt” could have easily been a METALLICA song, due to the way the riffing is done and the manner in which the song is built up. The atmosphere on “It's The Sickness” has a lot of similarities with the faster EXODUS or even DARK ANGEL songs. After these three, the tribute songs are done. On the last seven songs on “The Shadow Inside” you get to hear the real SADUS, and let me tell, that doesn’t disappoint either.

Their sound is a mix of a lot of their Thrash Metal peers, without trying to copy or emulate them. SADUS is capable of writing and playing the tracks in such a manner that you will be reminded of a lot of other bands, but only for a second or so. They play fast and furious, but with quite a lot of quality and class as well, making “The Shadow Inside” one of the best Thrash Metal albums of 2023 for me. Not that I have that many of them, but still…...