Bangover
Hibernation Devastation
Self – Released
Powered by squealing guitars and huge sing-along choruses, UK thrash always lent itself towards absurdism with bands such as Acid Reign, Lawnmower Deth and now Bangover veering heavily towards humour. However, while Bangover might like a laugh they are certainly no joke and when it comes to music they are all business. Opening with a homage to the film of the similar name, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Thrashacre’ is jam packed with crunchy riffs, railroad drumming and throat-shredding vocals (in short, everything that makes the genre great). Locking in tightly to ensure their songs are delivered with maximum force, ‘Hibernation Devastation’ becomes a follicle-flying, fretboard-flailing, thrash fest and it’s hard not to get swept along with its sheer joie de vivre. Yet, such is the fine line they walk that whenever Bangover get serious, such as on the anti-racist ‘Scum Of The Earth’, we are left in no doubt about their sincerity. Aided by a bold, clear production courtesy of Domo Dixon (from fellow thrash loons Gama Bomb), cuts such as the epic title-track are given the bounce they deserve and are sure to transfer well to the live environment. So, breakout the boombox and the basketball sneakers, Bangover are thrashing like it’s 1989!
Review by Peter Dennis.