Review: “Agent of Chaos” by Shadows Decay

Originally known as Preoptic Distortion, Costa Rica based Thrash Metal outfit Shadows Decay underwent a transformation in sound and name after an initial four year run between 2008 and 2012. Drawing influence from the darker side of the genre and bands like Slayer, Testament and Death Angel their live shows are known for their electrifying energy and dark, raw intensity. That being said, it has been eleven long years since 2013 EP “Peace in Hell“, so do they still have what it takes to capture their live sound like lightening it a bottle and commit it to tape? Their mission statement to spread their sonic devastation far and wide – because in the World of Metal, decay never sounded so good…

What’s amazing about the return of Shadows Decay after so long out of the game is that there have only a pair of departures with bassist Eduardo Cerdas exiting stage left in 2020 along with third guitarist Esteban Montoya. That leaves the soul of the machine very much intact with a rhythm section of drummer Jeyson Hodgson and bassist Daniel Solano now at its heart, the group rounded out by lead guitarist Nestor Morales and vocalist and guitarist Nacho Escobar. Older, wiser and more aggressive “Dry You Out” finds the band punching hard with a bombastic bass line from Solano and the kind of groove that reminds of 2000’s bands like Dry Kill Logic. A tasteful solo doesn’t steal too much of the limelight from the rhythmic prowess, which is where this one really shines. Building on that with a few choice leads in “Falling of Mind” works incredibly well as the band flex their muscles, the nostalgic quality they have about them giving the record as a whole instant appeal. Morales brings this one home with another tight piece of soloing making you wonder what they could do with a Pantera cover before title track “Agent of Chaos” comes out swinging. Morales adds death growled backing vocals to Escobar’s slightly shriller ones to give this one extra edge, as does more flamboyant solo. There is a diction issue with a couple of moments of pronunciation as Escobar doesn’t quite get the accenting right on the harsh vocals but to be honest it adds to the charm of the record, warts and all rather than over polished is always the better choice.

A bit of whammy bar action adds some spice that’s nice to “Bringer of Death“, supplementing the old school Groove Thrash riffs as Escobar paints a lyrical picture as old as time itself. Do we really need to be saved from death? or should we embrace our final moments before the psychopath strikes to satisfy her bloodlust? As with some of the earlier cuts there are hints at Death Metal or Death Thrash influences, particularly lyrically but the band don’t push themselves into embracing it any further. A little more introspection creeps into the lyrical narrative with “Only Lies“, a cut that is also sonically slicker with a better flow to it than some of the other compositions. That Vietnam veteran suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome mentality that the early Thrash bands captured so well has been nailed on this one stylistically with a few nice schizophrenic moments to keep the discerning listener on their toes. “Psuedo Suicidal” rounds out the collection with a fast one, the galloping drums and barnstorming solo of the first third getting the adrenaline pumping. Repeating the trick later on is a no brainer as the band capture their live energy better while showcasing their talents a little more. The Joker has escaped from Arkham Asylum; are you ready for the havoc he may cause? [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Dry You Out
2. Falling of Mind
3. Agent of Chaos
4. Bringer of Death
5. Only Lies
6. Psuedo Suicidal

“Agent of Chaos” by Shadows Decay is out 8th November 2024 via Preoptic Distortion Records