Review: “Close Encounters Of A Thrash Kind” by Bangover

“Another Sunday I’m battered and spent, So many things happened that I might regret, A weekly occurrence, what’s strange about that? But it seems like to me there’s a pain in my neck, Aches when I turn and when I look up, It feels like my necks been hit by a truck, Ears are still ringing, Brains far from sober, What can I do to stop this bangover?” ~ Municipal Waste

Whether London Thrash quintet Bangover take their moniker from the song of the same name on 2005’s “Hazardous Mutation” by Municipal Waste or not, Andreas Morelli (Lead Vocals), Jack Taylor (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Scott Grimble (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Alex Comley (Bass, Backing Vocals) and Marco Remarkable (Drums) certainly embody the attitude with which the Richmond Virginia Crossover Thrash act operate. Bangover formed in 2011  and after a couple of EPs scratched the surface they were granted a place on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock in 2017 following victory in the London Metal to the Masses competition. Following that up the the best way possible they then made their mark with 2018’s “Shovel Butcher“, a record critically acclaimed across this green and pleasant land…

…so where are the quintet in 2022? They’re approaching the dark side of the Moon with a science fiction themed EP called “Close Encounters Of A Thrash Kind” that opens with a sample from the 1977 Steven Spielberg classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” before the instrumental opening “Tones” that creates the atmosphere as a palette cleanser with space vibes. From then on in we’re into old school Thrash territory with more than a rose tinted spectacle nod at the golden age of the genre in the same vein as bands like Hazzerd, Evile and to a lesser extent Thrasherwolf have done in recent years with gang chants, classic riffs and yes, white trainers. It’s energetic, infectious and well put together with plenty of variation in the riff department to keep things flowing and the tapping solo on the meaty “Crop Circle Pit” is the Chef’s Kiss; the bass is also prominent in the mix which is a refreshing touch as the cut gallops through like the stagecoach in a classic Western. If “Blood, Sweat and Beers” is a tongue in cheek reference to “The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears” from 1999’s “The Burning Red” by Machine Head then it’s certainly been put to good use as Bangover put the hammer down for an all out Thrash classic and a call to arms for Metal heads around the World. While it doesn’t fit the narrative of the other three cuts it is a stone cold winner so if you’re note cracking a beer and banging your head to this then go an make an appointment to see a Doctor – there is something wrong with you [8/10]

Track listing

1. Tones
2. Close Encounters of the Thrash Kind
3. Crop Circle Pit
4. Blood, Sweat and Beers

“Close Encounters Of A Thrash Kind” by Bangover is out now with physical editions available here