One more album from Napalm Records, the label of Folk and melodic Metal. I think this time it won't be the same. The promo doesn't mention any Folk stuff. The only thing that is written on the back is Thrash Metal. Can Napalm compete its rival labels in the Thrash scene? HURTLOCKER are here with their brand new album to respond to my question. Let's hear what they have to say...

The US thrashers are a relevantly new band, since they were formed in 2000 in Chicago. They have only released a debut album in 2006 (Fear In A Handful Of Dust), again through Napalm, as well as a demo CD in 2002. As I read in their official Myspace page, they have managed to share the stage with Metal monsters like CRYPTOPSY, ABORTED and DEW SCENTED, bands that don't exactly fit HURTLOCKER's music (except from the German thrashers DEW SCENTED).

HURTLOCKER seem to have decided to play a slightly brutal kind of Thrash Metal that reminds of bands like HARM, DEATHCHAIN, as well as the latest albums from EXODUS and ONSLAUGHT. Imagine a heavy and clear sound covering the poisonous riffs that the two guitarists spit, and the rhythm section being solid as a rock. Grant's harsh vocals complete HURTLOCKER's Thrash assault in the best way possible and the overall result seems like a more than decent musical orgasm! Based on their origin, the US metallers also have many Bay Area influences that they manage to combine with some modern elements to create what we now call Embrace The Fall.

Who would expect that Napalm Records could release a more than just decent brutal Thrash Metal album full of speed, mid tempo heavy moments and some blasts here and there? I didn't for sure! The fact is that Napalm did release such an album and all the thrashers out there should check HURTLOCKER out to see what these US metallers are all about. Thrash on!