SKULL KORAPTOR is a Thrash Metal band out of Athens, Greece. And if you haven't been paying attention, Greece has been cranking out spectacular specimens of all forms of metal these days. This band is one of them. Formed 2011 and with only one EP to their credit, SKULL KORAPTOR is at the beginning of what I predict will be a long, formidable career. On January 17, 2020 they released their first full-length album, "Chaos Station."

With a name like SKULL KORAPTOR I was expecting some heavy Stoner Metal infusion . . . and there may be just a bit of that with this band's predilection to put together infectious heavy riffs . . . but mostly they have the angst and energy of a hard core punk band balanced with heavy musicianship of a deadshot Speed Metal band. For instance, when John Savloglou chants "They don't want you to think for yourself" I have flashbacks of BLACK FLAG cranking out "Rise Above." Then from the 3:50 mark to the end of the track the band cranks out a locomotive charged chainsaw of glorious, glorious metal. And just when you have think metal has never been so good and you have been re-baptized in the black pool of molten metal, "Next Station: Chaos" kicks off and you understand this train ain't going to stop.

Thematically, what is "Chaos Station" about? I don't know; I don't care. It's Thrash, so I'm guessing it might have something to do with politics and insightful societal critiques. It's Metal so I'm also thinking blood, angst, and viscera. No signs of dragons, pagan rituals, or emo navel gazing though, if that helps. Also, no song titles in Latin or Ancient Sumerian, but a lot of terms suggesting violence and aggression like "hatred," "blast," "burnt," "wrecking," and "despair" if anyone needs to do some sort of lexicon regression analysis (like that's a thing).

Best tracks in my humble opinion: "Blast it Out," "Burnt Society," "Burnt Society" (yep, so good I'm putting it twice), "Next Station: Chaos," "Breakthrough," and "Obsessed." Regrets, none. Even the one-minute intro, aptly titled "Intro" btw, cranks. Other great things: 1) no synthesizers, none; 2) no spoken word lectures on global warming or fill-in-the-blank agenda; 3) while the vocals aren't guttural, you wouldn't call them clean either, so both camps win with that one. Three's my limit on extras, so we'll stop there. Okay, 4) and there are only three band members. For the sheer economy of decibels to band members, this band delivers both value and volume.
Bottom line? This album kicks out the proverbial jams.