ALBUM REVIEW: Evil Dead - Toxic Grace

We all remember the fantastic album covers of Evil Dead. Perhaps some of us remember the album covers more than the music itself. Nevertheless, this is a thrash band that has been around for a long time (with a 20 plus year hiatus in the middle; this is not their first rodeo). However, the songs on Toxic Grace are not going to stop the fans from calling out the classic 80s and 90s material at Evil Dead shows. As a hardened thrash fan, as I listened, I accepted some truths about this album. I accepted that Evil Dead are a safe pair of hands when it comes to modern day thrash. Admittedly, this may not be interpreted as the nicest thing to say about a band. It's far from a compliment but at the same time, on almost every occasion, you’ll prefer a safe pair of hands to a complete numpty at the steering wheel. I accepted readily enough that most of the guitar riffs on here were very Slayer-esque. A hard chug, followed by some noodling on the higher notes before going back for a bit more chug. I found it a bit routine, but the quality was not at all bad. I also comfortably accepted that the vocals were either sung in the key of talking or had that megaphone distortion sound to cover up some cracks. And everyone above a certain age will know that singing thrash metal is extremely hard to do at any age, let alone when progressing in years. Despite all these things, I am happily willing to grant a thrash metal hall pass for Evil Dead. For all intents and purposes, Slayer are no more, (for now, despite the quick buck reformation shows) and we need someone to fill in. And yet, I don't think there are too many newer fans who will be as forgiving as me. 

Once you get into the album, you’ll find that Evil Dead generally stick with what they know, with a cross between mid-tempo to fast tracks throughout this album. There is also one ballad type song on here, which is probably as you would expect. Highlights are few and far between, mainly because the thrash on display here is extremely consistent. Opening track F.A.F.O. (Fuck Around and Find Out) is a mid-rhythmic thrasher. That's quickly followed by Reverie, a fast one with a slower chorus and those fuzzy vocals. And so, the album progress in a similar vain. It’s a bit formulaic. This is not a clever album although were Evil Dead ever a clever type of thrash band? It's in part a little bit uninspiring and too literal. I found it lacks inspiration and I asked whether this is likely to influence the next generation. Live is always a different matter because thrash metal is always ten times better under the lights and with it pulsing in your face. For me, I’m afraid that with Toxic Grace, Evil Dead may have just played on the safe side a little too much.

Toxic Grace is released on 24th May on Steamhammer/SPV
Review by Carl Black - our first guest on the podcast.