RISING DARK

Here is one of those random selections from the promo stacks of little known record labels and independent bands. As it turns out, the selection was a good one. Reading "thrashcore" in the press release is misleading, as much of what is heard on RISING DARK's "Apocalyptic" is about as thrashcore as TESTAMENT, assuming one is even clear on the definition of thrashcore. As such, we'll describe it as modern thrash metal with modern sensibilities and a few twists.

Boring it is not. After a tone-setting intro in the title track, "Armageddon" gets the thrash train barreling down the tracks, smoke billowing and the engineer pouring sweat from the stifling heat. "This is War" is best described as a damn good song and is the one on which the TESTAMENT influence screams with fervor. Like several of these tracks, it is obvious that the Italians put some thought into the arrangement, in this case the solo tradeoffs and spoken word segment both adding value. Equally strong is "The Bofoid", a nearly eight-minute, finely crafted cut with compositional shifts that make an impact. "Yog Sothoth" changes directions in effective fashion by adding more melody in a way that approaches power metal and with moments that remind of ICED EARTH. Oddly enough, one can even hear shades of NILE in parts; epic stuff indeed. After another round of thrash punches in the form of "Your blood is on my Hands" comes a real shocker, a tune called "Phoenix" that is for all intents and purposes a power ballad, piano and all. And by god it works; a tad strange to hear after all that metallic bluster, but surprisingly solid.

All of that equates to a band in RISING DARK that has big time potential to burst onto the international scene as serious contenders. "Apocalyptic" is the sound of a hungry band that is full of ideas and boundless energy. You are advised to keep your ears wide open for these Italian thrashers.