Album Review: Mutank – Think Before You Think (Boonsdale Records)

Canadian thrash maniacs Mutank return with their newest collection of bangers ‘Think Before You Think’ via Boonsdale Records on November 29th. It’s the first taste of new neck-breaking tunes in seven years since releasing their mosh-heavy EP ‘W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T.’ in 2017.

It takes a brave, and inspired thrash band, to start their album off with nearly two minutes of riffy instrumental heaviness. The thrash stench is strong, the build-up of intensity is effective, and when the vocals do arrive, they come with scathing power. This is the explosive head banger of a start that is Illuminatus, and it sets the heavy bar. Proving that seven years has just made Mutank an even more potent force.

Something that hits even harder with the thumping and chugging wildness of Payback, the powerful and groovy anthem that is All Against All, and the crashing and smashing heavy metal sound of Channel Change. With these tracks Mutank make sure that everyone listening is all too aware that this return comes with a point, a sharp and stabby point that is liable to take an eye out.

I once said that they were not to be underestimated and written off as just another ‘thrash throwback’ and those are words that still ring true now. Mutank’s instrumental and vocal combination is more than just based in old-school thrash metal, and before the album is even half over, they have delivered so much more. Not just aspects of heavy metal, but plenty of speed, a dash of punk, some hardcore thinking, and more than enough groove to get the dead up and moving.

Does it get more creative than the near-psychedelic sound of the guitars in Bad Magnitude? Maybe not, but that this track has a thick and sinewy rhythm too, sure makes it one of the more memorable listens. Then there is Abortron and Groundbreaker, the two shortest tracks on the album, with the former showcasing speed metal in all its heart-racing glory, and the latter showcasing unrelenting hardcore-infused aggression.

Variety. It might not be an aspect many expect to experience across this album, but that’s Mutank for you, and right up to the end, they find inventive ways to keep the listener engaged. First, by delivering an anthem for all head bangers around the world with the excellently titled Metalheads for Hire. Then by getting even more artistic with Running Reds, a track with some intriguing progressive touches. Before Mutank’s impressive return is capped off with an absolute cacophony of thrashy noise via Thrash Primordial. The record ending as it begun, with heads being banged hard.

Mutank – Think Before You Think Track Listing:

1. Illuminatus
2. Payback
3. All Against All
4. Channel Change
5. Bad Magnitude
6. Abortron
7. Groundbreaker
8. Metalheads For Hire
9. Running Reds
10. Thrash Primordial

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube