Frantic activity has been a hallmark for this Finnish thrash band Jewel Throne since arriving on the scene in 2019. Three quick hitting EPs arrived in four months, soon giving way to a series of singles and two more EPs as lineup shifts took place. Now the quartet have arrived at Blood Vultures, the debut full-length of twelve songs where these musicians combine a lot of the passionate raw aggression that put this style on the map, death metal nuances interwoven into a style that goes for the jugular.
Many of the lyrical themes encapsulate life’s difficulties and the stupidity that can arise through the human race – certainly adequate material to match the fierce musical proceedings on display. Expect riffing that’s intense as well as layered in a semi-melodic context – incorporating aspects of German thrash next to early Scandinavian death platforms to construct these compositions in immediate, focused molds. As a vocalist Jesse Huovinen has the dual growl to sadistic scream terrorism angles down pat – check into his maniacal, rhythm-like mannerisms for “Cosmic Titan Engines” as early proof to his paint melting escapades. Simpler riffs from guitarist Toni Koskinen build to explosive payoffs where tremolo picking or punk-ish angles lead to these chaotic measures that fill the aural landscape in head banging ecstasy – “Psychotoxic Assault” exemplifying the thrash, death, and early traditional 80s mix of sounds that could make this a favorite.
Distant, dirty measures in specific tones and production values align with an older sonic playbook – once again making listeners believe this material could have easily come from the early 90s just as much as its hitting the streets now in 2024. Songs like “Instant Apocalypse” and “Suffer the Fools” combine elements of Sodom, Destruction, and Venom next to early Swedish death pioneers like Entombed or Grave as far as intensity and attitude. The band also understands the need to throw listeners a proverbial dynamic bone, where the mid-tempo riff reigns things in for a brief section or two as you’ll get on the anthem-oriented “Hammer Down the Last Nail”, the narrative sequences signal the blistering transformation to semi-blast proceedings. By the time the final song “The Overlord” finishes in its tremendous, extended send off with its multi-tiered laughter, screams, and moans, the 41 minutes should obliterate any negativity to transform your surroundings with a proper mindset – as most great thrash records are capable of achieving.
Jewel Throne may be very old school in waiting five years to release this debut album, but Blood Vultures contains enough seasoning and power to be positioned adequately in ‘must hear’ ranks. Ideal for those who want more of the underground feel for this genre versus anything polished to the hilt.