(Advance Copy) Electrocutioner - False Idols

If you are a thrash metal fan, I think you will like this review. Calling you in its eerie and luring voice from the catacombs of New York is Electrocutioner. They define their music as "Aggressive and ripping thrash metal," and they aren't wrong. Hitting the scene with their first single in 2021 and a couple of EPs under their belt, the three-member band is about to release their full-length album "False Idols" on October 13, 2023, and Decibel Warfare was one of the chosen few to preview the album.

Overall, the album carries 13 tracks, which seems like a lot, but most of the songs linger in the 3-4 minutes range and are pretty crisp and to the point, no messing about, just straight-up fast, aggressive guitar riffs, drumming to match, and heavy vocal style for that extra punch. Of the 13, three tracks are instrumental and mostly synth-driven, but more on that later.

The album starts off with "Earth finder," which aims to set the tone for the rest of the album and pretty quickly jumps onto the fast-paced "Revenger," and if you are like me, you will find yourself grinning within the first 15 seconds. The track is a testament to the band's relentless commitment to delivering pure, unadulterated metal mayhem. Before you are able to recover, you are treated to the title track, "False Idols," and then onto "The Guillotine," which I enjoyed, especially with its chorus of "Off, Off with his head." The lyrics are dark, brutal, and explore society's capacity for destruction, but at the same time, they are fun talking about witches, revenge, false idols, and of course, chopping off heads.

Mark Pursino does a great job at the helm, manning guitars, synth, and providing vocals and is pretty much the backbone of the band. The rhythm section is expertly delivered and delivers a relentless sonic assault with an unending horde of riffs that are punchy, fast-paced, and precise. Solos are on point, and it's great to see more bands focus and deliver a sharp solo section, and here you are treated to a frenzied display of shredding that will leave you in awe. Drums are delivered by Tyler Bogliole and are thunderous, and what I enjoyed the most is when you are unexpectedly treated to double bass drumming. Rich Nieves is on bass and lays down that absolutely necessary layer which would leave the album legless if devoid of bass.

The album is pretty solid and has more than a few moments when it shines through, but it also has its weaknesses, predominantly the instrumental tracks. These are synth-driven and attempt to create an atmosphere of doom, foreboding, an almost otherworldly feeling, and I wouldn't expect to see them on a thrash (or crossover thrash, if you will) album as the atmosphere created is one of anxiety and tension, but soon you're served a massive helping of blitzing guitar riffs, which doesn't really go hand in hand. But that doesn't take away from all the razor-sharp music that the album and the band have to offer.

My favorite tracks are "Revenger," "The Guillotine" (obviously), and "Execution of the witches." It's an album that can easily find its way to your gym playlist or running playlist as it keeps you pumped up and the adrenaline rushing.

In closing, I would say that we need more thrash metal and more bands like Electrocutioner that straight up serve you with hard-hitting metal and don't mess around. Despite its minor shortcomings, the album is pretty solid, and Decibel Warfare wishes the band all the very best and hopes you lot enjoy the False Idols as much as we did.

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