Review: “Thrash Is Back” by Exaust (2nd Anniversary)

After their second EP “Abysmal Earth” caught our attention back in the summer we figured we’d seize the opportunity to go back and review “Thrash Is Back”, the debut record from Exaust. Hailing from deepest, darkest Cwmbrân, South Wales hasn’t stopped the five piece from reducing venues to rubble alongside the likes of Inhuman Nature, Overpower and  Thrasherwolf with their Molotov Cocktail of 80’s Thrash and Hardcore Punk in classic Crossover style. Musing on themes of War, Death, Ancient Horrors was the work of the bands original line up which consisted of drummer Ethan English, lead guitarist Evan Rise, rhythm guitarist Dannedd Sansom alongside bassist and vocalist Evan Beake. 2024 saw Beake exit stage left to be replaced by bassist Matt “Mighty” Moore and vocalist Dewi Robinson but that’s another story…

The Nightmare on Elm Street haunted music box introduction sends a chill down the spine every time before Exaust burst into “Man Of Your Dreams” a track which has a really distinctive bass style, reminiscent of that of Frank Bello on “Fistfull Of Metal” by Anthrax from back in 1984. Naturally 80’s Thrash worship is a reoccurring theme throughout the record but on this one it hits like the steel fist of RoboCop with the bass deliberately placed further forward in the mix than on most modern Metal records. That bolsters the bands sound giving them another dimension and giving them something to cut against the riffs. Ferocious vocals in throat splitting style are the order of the day but they do little to mask the drop off in recording quality for “The Pharaoh” which makes it obvious that the record is in need of remastering. This one sounds like a demo from the tape trading days where everyone had a cassette in the cigarette pack pocket of their denim battle jacket the quality of the song itself rising to the surface once you get over that initial drop. Tight riffage and a tasteful solo ensure that you’re kept entertained even before the stompy breakdown in the final third which bleeds seamlessly into the start of “The Suffering” like the pair are conjoined twins. Gang chants elevate this one giving it that fist in the air attitude, the slick chord progressions and bass solo adding some more old school charm in which the record as a whole is drenched. Whats interesting is that the band aren’t afraid of longer instrumental passages and end this one with a long rhythmic bludgeoning to incite mosh pit violence before the air raid sirens sound the final warning. Arguably Exaust save the best to last with “Toxic War“, a track that has an earworm main riff while threatening to burst into “Toxic Waltz” by Exodus at every turn. Beake’s vocals are seriously ugly on this one, his tone perfectly suited to the bands style. The key difference between the bands earlier work and 2024 single “B.T.C. (Bite The Curb)” is the soloing which gives the band a whole new dynamic and as a track it finds the band bringing all their live experience to the table. They throw in gang chants, mosh parts and raging rhythms make sure this one stands head and shoulders above the earlier tracks. All in all, a mighty fine debut that will serve them well in the future.[7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Man Of Your Dreams
2. The Pharaoh
3. The Suffering
4. Toxic War
5. B.T.C. (Bite The Curb)

“Thrash Is Back” by Exaust was released on 20th September 2023 and is available over at bandcamp