I generally love thrash metal, but this album didn't do much justice to the genre. There is chaos and then there is organized chaos "Fatal Venin" is an album filled with chaos and not the good kind. I have never heard of SURVIVAL INSTINCT until now. Part of me, was expecting something energetic and raw but this album did not deliver either. SURVIVAL INSTINCT, from Quebec, Canada, releases its first EP after the last three full album releases. I presume they kept it short for a reason maybe?

The first track "Fatal Venin" gave me a good vibe at first with a more aggressive tribal take but then it turned into something that shocked me. I love wild music but I can't appreciate when there isn't some kind of emotion in the music. I was just staring into space trying to make sense of the aggression, chaotic drumming, screaming vocals and guitars that didn't fit together at all.

"Instinct" the second track sounds mediocre and lacks individuality. It sounds like a bunch of very angry teenagers decided to get together and play music in their parents' garage. The good part for the song is Martins vocals, he is not shrieking the whole time. I can't say much about "Night Speed" as all I heard was the same guitar riff through out the song, Martin screaming out of tune and Joel beating on those drums like he was being chased by some monster. There was a spark of happiness when I heard some kind of guitar solo, but it still didn't hit the right spot.

There are bands who definitely get influenced by the old school thrash music, the the last track on this album reminds me of SLAYER in many ways. The issue in that is SURVIVAL INSTINCT shouldn't try to be slayer but find their own emotion in their music. I am certain that the band members separately all have amazing talent but they need to find the road to organized chaos with a lot more umph and less let's do something and see what happens.

I didn't get much out of this album, even after listening to it over and over. I understood the aggression but that was in the nonsense of all the instruments being played without some kind of focus. Aggression should be felt in the vocals, the drums the guitar. Metal music these days need to give us the urge to headbang our souls out of our bodies, feel the rage with a smile on our faces.

I hope SURVIVAL INSTINCT finds their own path. All I can say is they shouldnt try too hard, stay calm with a little bit of chaos and put some power emotion in the music. Goodluck on the next album or EP.