26th June 2026

Review: “From Strength To Strength” by Martyrs Saint

Having already shared stages with Psycroptic, Unburier and Thrasherwolf in recent times, South West Crossover Thrash merchants Martyrs Saint have begun to build a reputation for themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Produced, recorded and mixed by Lucas Fletcher (Espera, Anxiety Trip, Apathy) at Shell City Studios, their debut EP comprises a collection of songs that have already been tried, tested and refined on the road with the help of packed houses to ensure they have them nailed. Combining Hardcore grooves with the aggression of Thrash has brought them to this point, the only question is, can they match their live energy in the studio?

If you’ve ever needed a motivational message to keep you strong in the face of adversity them vocalist Brandon Goodair has got your back, delivering exactly what you need with barbed opening cut and title track “From Strength To Strength“. Front loaded Crossover Thrash riffs to make you snap your neck the cut finds him in defiant mood, the huge drum sound Louie Hawkes has been given taking us back to 1994 and “Burn My Eyes” era Machine Head. Proving his bite is worse than his bark Goodair then has a message for those who would stand against him and his band with “Enemy Of My Enemy“. A cut which introduces a couple of blistering solos allowing Amaré Hurley to express himself, it has an old school Thrash sound, built on the foundations of Traditional Heavy Metal and a whirlwind of percussive battery and twisted metal bass from Harvey Lewis to crack a few skulls.

Perhaps inspired by “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica the achingly beautiful opening of “In Amber” is a melancholic meandering of clean guitars and bold leads. Slick transitions to powerful arena filling verses and back again give the tune old school appeal, another face melting solo and a creative tempo shift helping to ensure the leaves a lasting impression. Thrilling and epic, it perhaps suggests that the band might move away from the Crossover Thrash sound into more Progressive realms in the future. They certainly have the skills to do so in abundance. “The Divine Art Of War” returns to that raw aggression that the record started with, Goodair demonstrating yet more vocal prowess to help create a tune of blood and thunder with his vicious snarl. Hurley unleashes a stunning tapped solo before the a bass one follows suit, the quartet sizing up for a knock out punch. That comes in the form of a crushing Machine Head inspired breakdown that leaves you floored. All in all, these four tracks should set Martyrs Saint apart from the wolf pack with impressive performances throughout [7.5/10]

Track Listing