Hatchet - Leave No Soul (EP)

I've been a dedicated fan of Hatchet for over a decade now, and their ability to consistently deliver timeless thrash metal never fails to captivate me. From the lightning-fast riffs and thunderous drumming to the powerful vocals, their sound carries an intensity that's remained authentic throughout the years. As someone who proudly owns all their albums on vinyl and had the chance to witness their electrifying performance live, my appreciation extends to their musicianship, the timelessness of their thrash metal sound, and, most importantly, their role in carrying the genre forward.

Hearing a few months ago that Hatchet is releasing new material after six years since their last album was incredibly exciting. Although it's only a 5-song EP, I was still thrilled at the prospect of hearing new music from them.

Now, the day has finally come, and knowing their history, it promises to be a powerful continuation of the sound that has kept me hooked for years. I can't wait to dive into what they have in store. The EP includes three new original tracks, including the title track, Concealing Decay, and Withering Minds. The EP also features covers of Annihilator’s Human Insecticide and W.A.S.P.'s Hellion.

Released as the first single in December 2023, Leave No Soul delivers razor-sharp guitars, ferocious speed, and relentless intensity, perfectly embodying the essence of Bay Area thrash metal in a single track.

The second single released from the EP was a cover of W.A.S.P.'s Hellion, which came out in August of this year. This was an interesting choice, given that W.A.S.P. is a band rooted in traditional heavy metal, often associated with the glam metal and shock rock scenes of the 1980s. Covering such a classic can be challenging, as it's hard to preserve the song's essence while adding your own style and flair. However, Hatchet's thrash metal interpretation brought a fresher sound, with heavier drums, faster guitar work, and a thicker bass. Julz's unique vocals added an edgier, catchier vibe, making the track feel both fresh and intense while still paying homage to the original.

Since I had already listened to two of the five songs, I only had three new ones to go over, and boy, was I surprised. I was especially eager to hear their second cover, Human Insecticide by Annihilator. That track, from Annihilator's debut album Alice In Hell, was already a perfect song in my opinion, and easily one of the thrashiest tracks on that iconic 1989 album, which remains one of my favorite metal releases to this day. I was wary of how Hatchet would do it justice. What can I say? Fuckin' Alice in Hell! The guitars are insane, and the production quality is top-notch, but it's the drums that elevate this cover to another level. Julz is uncompromising yet maintains the essence of the original. This is more than a cover, it’s a 35th anniversary show of respect and admiration, a love letter to a bygone thrash era.

This leaves us with the two new originals. Concealing Decay is classic Hatchet, with everything you'd expect from them on full display. If you like their blueprint, as I do, then you'll love this song. But just when you think they can't push the speed any further, midway through the song (at the 02:18 mark, to be exact), they turbocharge it even more, unleashing horrific guitar skills with blistering intensity that grabs hold and doesn't let go. If you're learning to play the guitar, this middle section will either be your biggest motivation or completely crush your confidence in the best way possible. And, when you think the song is almost over, they end it just the way they started it, with that unmistakable Hatchet circular guitar-driven melody. Overall, a total banger!

This leaves us with the standout track, Withering Minds. The guitar melodies, especially when paired with the chorus, create a mesmerizing effect that amplifies the track’s overall energy. Julz’s raspy voice and sharp screams add grit and intensity throughout. Midway through, the guitars take a brief breather, while the bass and drums hold the tension, making it feel like the song pauses to stare you down before surging back with full force to complete the brutal assault. The final section pushes the song to a powerful climax, making this a perfect mix of thrash aggression and melodic finesse.

Despite the limited number of songs and the length of the EP, Leave No Soul signals positive things for the future, especially considering the challenges the band faced, as we learned in last year’s interview. Relocations among band members made in-person collaboration difficult, but they still delivered a cohesive and powerful release. What the EP lacks in the number of songs, it more than compensates for in sheer quality, with each track packed with absolutely awesome intensity and precision.

You can also read my interview with Julz Ramos, the frontman, guitarist, and driving force of Hatchet.

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EP Tracklist:

1. Leave No Soul

2. Concealing Decay

3. Withering Minds

4. Human Insecticide (Annihilator cover)

5. Hellion (W.A.S.P. cover)

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