29th January 2024

Review: “Asunder” by Draghoria

Thriving for the past eleven years on classic Thrash lyrical themes of violence, insanity and rebellion, Greeley Colorado residents Draghoria have arrived at Mambo number five in “Asunder” after two full lengths and two EPs. Describing themselves simply as a Multi Generational Thrash Metal quintet, they currently have members and former members of of Arcanium, Cross Fade, Mandrake and Internal Bleeding in their ranks. This time out they have leaned upon the skills of their drummer Alex Carrillo to record, mix and master four original cuts and one cover at Natu Productions…

Born on the wrong side of the tracks, Draghoria take their cues from the darker side of Thrash with distinctive razor sharp Death Metal edges in the vien of Slayer. A fine example of how this band bleed the genres together, opening cut “Nadir” is front loaded with jackhammer footwork and guilt edged rhythms of the finest order while having a classic earworm main riff. The solo may not be as blistering as it could have been but it’s still powerful enough to whet the appetite for the rest of the record. It has to be said that the kit performance really stands out, the metronomic timing infused with punches and tempo changes that hit hard. An introspective lyrical narrative and familiar rhythmic patterns make “Loathe” reminiscent of early Megadeth but without sounding dated. Modern production value, a crisp clean sound and a brutal roar from vocalist Benjamin Riggs ensure that doesn’t unnoticed, a couple of schizophrenic moments that hark back to the post traumatic stress syndrome of America after the horrors of the Vietnam War giving it real power. That continues into the bone rattling “Clutch“, a powerhouse cut with galloping drums of thunder and lightning riffs galore. By this point in the record the solos have reached critical mass, the extended one in this track an absolute masterclass in Death Thrash. The ode to Thrash Metal that is “H.Y.O.” is a moment of real old school class with flavours of early Anthrax and feels like not only a call to arms but a call to the mosh pit. It’s that good.

“Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol is certainly an interesting choice, if for no other reason than it’s been done many times before by many other bands including Children of Bodom, Dope and The Dillinger Escape Plan. But one should never judge a book by its cover and the simple truth is that Draghoria have curb stomped their own style on this one so while vocal and melody obvious, there is so much more to this rendition. To start with the riffs have been made more complex and the tone is classic Thrash. Add to that more complex drum patterns and a couple of really meaty fills and you’ve got an entirely different beast. The only thing that hasn’t been chemically enhanced is the vocal, which is sung rather than screamed, however that allows Riggs to showcase something a little softer which works very well. Slick and polished, this modern interpretation of the heavier side of Thrash Metal is very hard to fault… [8.5/10]

Track Listing