Dark. Darker than midnight on the blackest night. The second album from Blackpool death thrashers Blacklist is one nasty, visceral and horror-filled ride. Over 50-minutes of explosive and relentless power, the quartet blast their way through ten blood-soaked tracks that are not for the faint hearted.
This is a band who provided a solid debut back in 2021, their Disciples of Time album pushing them into the mix amongst the buoyant UK thrash scene, and they backed that up with many ferocious gigs, often as part of the celebrated Trifecta tours with Hellfekted and Thrasherwolf.
Littered with sound clips from horror movies, each track comes at you with an intensity and savagery that is almost impossible to contain.
The tempo is fast, really fast from start to finish whilst Tyler Larkin’s vocals are much improved. Yes, he still has a limited range, preferring to bark or spit the venom-induced lyrics, but they are more controlled and managed this time around, as he channels the aggression perfectly. I’m not a huge fan of the gremlin-style parts, where he sounds like he’s been squashed, but otherwise it works well. And then we have the musicianship. For those who love their thrash, this is an album that should be an essential listen in 2024. The razor-sharp slashing lead breaks, the punishing drums of Matthew Longshaw and the overall quality of the playing is impressive.
The production works well enough to allow each instrument space despite the ferocity that rages. So, a celebration of horror it is, and there’s plenty of gory splatter across the tracks. The explosive Cannibal which opens the album leaves little to the imagination, whilst the Halloween clip that precedes The Shape is sinister and unnerving. There’s the brutal battering of Nostromo, the haunting Kill the Coroner, and the epic title track that closes the album. All bring a combination of those early Blacklist roots with a fresh and blood-thirsty new aural assault.
It’s an approach that sees Blacklist follow their own ideas and passions. “Instead of turning down ideas because of genre definitions, we decided to embrace what felt right, leading to a sound that perfectly captures the band and line-up as it stands today”.
Let’s be fair. Songs with titles such as The Dismemberment Blade, Lethal Infection and Blood Baptism are never going to be ones that you’ll put on when the in-laws pop round for a cuppa, but if you want to lose your shit in the pit, export some of that pent up frustration after another day in a dead-end job, or simply want to blow off steam, then With Murderous Intent is the album for you.
For me, Blacklist were at a difficult point even early in their musical journey. This release has made a clear statement about where they are and the direction of future travel. It’s exciting, vibrant, and one that you’ll want to play repeatedly. If you don’t, then one must question your music life choices.
With Murderous Intent is released on 2nd August
Find out more about the band at UK Thrashers
Review by Hutch
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