We all know that the trajectory of a band can have many twists and turns based on life circumstances, experience, and consistency (or inconsistency) with band members. Hungarian act Atrox Trauma lives up to the roller coaster ride – originating in 2008, issuing two demos from 2011-12 before putting the group on hold in 2013 following the loss of the rhythm section. Resurrecting in 2019, they recorded this debut album On the Line of Nothing and Something in the spring of 2021 – signing with WormHoleDeath for their first proper release. Considering this long-awaited point in the four-piece’s career, it’s evident that these musicians have a deep seasoning and affinity for thrash metal, aligning elements of other sub-genres to give this material a diverse balance between melodic hooks, exotic/cultural textures, and aggression/heaviness.
The savage vocal roar of guitarist Török Imre combined with precise, tight rhythms (supplemented by second axe man Székely András) that galvanize listeners into swarming circle pit mavens takes on measures of classic Sepultura, Sodom, on through to early Metallica or Machine Head when “I Don’t Understand” or “Vanity” flow through your preferred listening device. Tribal drum patterns, thick triplet chugging, fluid solo mechanics, and calmer transitions allow “The One Who Got Sense” (the longest song at 6:26) to become the progressive epic that mesmerizes – carrying itself in a bit more of a Viking/Amon Amarth-ish angle especially through specific returning refrains on the musical front. Subsequently the cymbal/guitar instrumental opening to “Until It Connects” rears back to Iron Maiden edge of your seat action, while the main riffs demand ultimate headbanging, hair swirling activity. The straightforward nature to specific tracks such as “This Is the Truth” or “You Are Servant” ensures Atrox Trauma instantaneous appeal, the band building out the thrash framework with outside influences across the melodic death, groove/modern, or blackened/Viking spectrum. The calmer, atmospheric nature to “Moon, Dawn” as the instrumental closer with its exotic percussion and tame, clean guitar lines showcases a thoughtful side that leaves a lighter ending to an otherwise metal to the bone effort.
Intertwining multiple elements outside of thrash and creating a catchy sound that still has its ears poised to an underground audience, Atrox Trauma could be a group to keep an eye on as this is a solid debut album.