Review: “Return Fire” by Terraborn

Armed with a back story about an apocalyptic wasteland in which war wages between humans and mutants created by the fallout from a nuclear holocaust, Brighton based Terraborn are soldiers of fortune, mercenaries who scour the underground in search of blood. Their debut EP “Call to War” arose from the flames in 2017, the culmination of two years of training and took them to the final of Metal To the Masses for the chance to play the New Blood stage of Bloodstock. Now they return after six years in the wilderness, eyes trained on the horizon because now the plague and pestilence that once swept through this green and pleasant land has dissipated and the mutants threaten to rise again…

Given the theme and aesthetic you could be forgiven for thinking that Terraborn might be an Old School Thrash outfit but they have very different ideas as “Flames of the Fallout” opens the record embracing something heavier. Chugging riffs and harsh vocals create a vortex of rhythmic power, the lyrical themes of war a constant narrative while some tasteful leads offer up a couple of brighter moments. There is far more to Terraborn than meets the eye however and while the verses of “Pre-Emptive Strike” puts you in a choke hold, threatening to reach for a concrete slab to batter you with, the song also has a couple of melodic choruses. The harsh vocals are pushed to the background so the guitars can shine before brining them back to prominence and throwing in a couple of gang chant moments to spice things up. Unexpectedly that works pretty well, the band remaining steadfast in their refusal to use clean vocals but still able to give us something warm and rich. A similar thing happens with “Hell on Earth” which is introduced slowly by something a little more intricate and atmospheric before going hell for leather into the 2003 era American Metalcore styled riffs. Layered harsh vocals add another dimension, the pile driving mid section having instant head bang appeal while the science fiction based narrative gives plenty to think about. What Terraborn have done is find balance here; their concept doesn’t sabotage their music but isn’t throw away either, the two work as parasite and host in harmony.

The war drums pound as “Project Venom” comes to life, a tale along similar lines to that of Universal Soldier as a man has been turned into a weapon with surgery but unexpectedly a little too much of the previous being remains. A powerhouse cut with a number of perfectly weighted scream-a-long moments, it only lacks a searing solo to elevate it from the Groove Metal disturbance. An ethereal introduction from a choir gives rise to “Sins of the Soldier“, a punishment beating at the tempo of the damned with a couple of almost feral vocal moments that scorch the ear canals. This one has not one but two ripping solos at its black beating heart which make all the difference as once again, Terraborn are at the height of their game. Last but my no means least “Army of the Dead” rounds out the collection with another rhythmic pounding, a couple of well placed gang chant moments designed for getting the crowd involved when they play this one live. The false ending slap bang in the middle is brilliantly worked while the caustic death growls of the title are a lethal injection of darkness with their harsher tones, the cries of “March, die!” ringing in the ears as this one fades to black. How they have managed to capture their live energy and commit it to tape is a wonder, this record will server these soldiers very well… [7.5/10]

Track Listing

  1. Flames of the Fallout
  2. Pre-Emptive Strike
  3. Hell on Earth
  4. Project Venom
  5. Sins of the Soldier
  6. Army of the Dead

Return Fire” by Terraborn is out 16th December 2023

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