18th January 2025

Review: “Toxic Brew” by Bottlebelt

There is nothing quite like a DIY or DIE approach that pulls on the heart strings when it comes to the Underground Metal scene. Who needs a fancy studio, expensive producer and shinny new equipment to record their cryptic writings when learning the craft and doing it all on a laptop in your back bedroom will suffice? Engineered, mixed and mastered by their guitarist Alistair Anderson, the debut EP “Toxic Brew” from Bottlebelt is a fine example what can be achieved with that with the Manchester Thrash crew having a tale or two to tell. Is there anything more enticing than a collection of songs about drinking, an archetype thrash anti-hero and some radioactive toxic gunk? After all, that’s what made Troma Entertainment great.

Old School, New School, F*** School is the approach of Bottlebelt have taken as they tear down the blue skies with opening gambit “Don’t Drink And Die“, the chugging Thrash riffs giving a more satisfying crunch than a bowl of Kellogg’s Cornflakes. What the band don’t bring to this one is a flamboyant solo, instead choosing the left hand path of vim and vigour, their rhythmic prowess a tour de force of genre experience. Vocally, switching between low end growls and higher pitched warbling adds a touch of insanity, the range impressing by overstepping any temptation to do an authentic clean element. EP title track “Toxic Brew” is the second out from Hell’s gate on this one, a skull battering of classic Thrash agility which has a couple of short and sweet solos that scream out of their missile housings for good measure. A classic cautionary tale warning of the drunken debauchery that awaits if you drink from the poison chalice, it has that scream along factor that makes it an instant winner. By this point some of the vocals stray into Death Thrash territory but that’s by no means a bad thing before the band slow things down a notch and dial up the intensity for “Beer Fuelled Fury“. An ode to those who have attempted to drown their sorrows only to see the red mist descend, its very well worked and finds the band in similar territory to the much missed Road Mutant or even Hazzerd. The higher pitched vocal moments bordering on schizophrenic and the riffs are as much fun as you can have without leaving the haunted house. A white knuckle Speed Thrash thrill ride through the urban jungle, “Your Misery” borders on the psychotic as a depiction of murderous intent, a bloodlust for the buzz of a chainsaw at its bitter black heart. It arguably has the finest moment of soloing on the record, ending it on a high. If the cover artwork shows potential then the record fulfils it, boding very well for a bright future if the band can avoid drinking that toxic brew… [7.5/10]

Track Listing