As a full-blown Thrash metal enthusiast and contemporary Metalhead, I am certainly familiar and in ownership of the first two albums of ATROPHY. “Socialized Hate” (1988) and “Violent By Nature” (1990) are absolutely brilliant albums that have stood the test of time with ease. These Americans from Tucson in Arizona started life as HERESY before changing their name to ATROPHY in 1987. They were active until 1993, and have had a 22-year break until 2015, when they reformed. Now, some 34 years after their sophomore album, they are back with “Asylum”, another slab of pure Thrash Metal in typical ATROPHY style.

That ATROPHY style is one which symbolises that they take no prisoners, they have their own way of approaching things and with that share their massive intensity with us, the listening audience. For 44 minutes long you are allowed to hit everything within your reach, to rip apart whatever you feel like and run into your walls as often as you wish. And although that is something I would have felt compelled to do in 1988 and 1990, now in 2024 I am not going to chance it anymore. I just feel my wife wouldn’t agree. Or my body for that matter.

As the music on “Asylum” is in typical ATROPHY style, there is one thing I have to mention. How good the songs might be, how enjoyable the Thash Metal is to my ears and brains, I can’t escape the feeling that is also is quite predictable. That in itself doesn’t have to be a problem, when the music is good. Which it is. But I was hoping for some fresh new insights. And they are not there. On the other hand, if you enjoy the first two ATROPHY albums, you can lap up this one without too much trouble. That in itself is also quite an achievement.

So now it is up to you readers to decide what you think of this. It is quite simple; if you are well known with ATROPHY but want to hear something new, this is not the record for you. But if you are one of those who still worship the first two albums, you will love “Asylum”, as it is a natural progression in comparison to those two. The same goes if you happen to be a Thrash Metal follower for whom ATROPHY is really very new to you, you will like what you hear. That I can guarantee.