EP Review: Chupacabra – Fortified with Ashes (Self Released)

Chupacabra is the new project from three battle-scarred members of Bristol’s flourishing metal scene. Nige Savage (all instruments except lead guitar) and Heather Taylor (vocals) are former members of well-known local band Wytch; Heather was also the lead singer for acclaimed Bristol band Cybervoid. Alex Brent, formerly of Captive, rounds out the recording line-up on lead guitar.

The thrashers will release their debut EP, Fortified with Ashes, on August 4th, 2023. In addition, they are providing all the music for the new audiobook edition of DX Ferris’ best-selling SLAYER biography, Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, Postmortem Remastered Edition.

It’s thrash and thrash that hits hard. Chupacabra make their debut in loud and head-banging fashion. Kicking off this three-track EP with the raging inferno that is Burn the Clowns. Chupacabra are in a fiery mood and looking to dish all kinds of heavy punishment out via pounding instrumentation and scowling vocals. It’s a winner of an opener that sounds deliciously old-school.

F. T. T. D is next and it sees Chupacabra laying waste with a cacophony of noise. Ripping and tearing riffs, pulverising drumming, and vocals with enough sharpness to them, that they could peel the skin from your flesh. It hits all the right spots for fans of emphatic thrash heaviness.

Finally, it’s the title track to leave you feeling satisfied with the arrival of Chupacabra but extremely hungry for more. A tornado of frenzied heaviness that confirms a sneaking suspicion that many will have. Which is that Chupacabra know how to make their thrash sound that little more anthemic.

Chupacabra – Fortified with Ashes Track Listing:

1. Burn the Clowns
2. F. T. T. D
3. Fortified With Ashes

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