Not exactly renowned for being a hotbed of thrash metal, Australia has nevertheless served up some quality bands over the years. Sadistik Exekution, Addictive, and Deströyer 666 all enjoyed relative success along with bigger names such as Hobbs’ Angel of Death, and of course, Sydney’s Mortal Sin, but in more recent years it’s been left to Melbourne act Harlott to fly the Aussie flag of hate.

Formed in 2006, Detritus of the Final Age (Metal Blade) is Harlott’s fourth full-length release since 2013 and is another fine example of technically proficient, no fucking around, heads down thrash. Opening cut ‘As We Breach’ begins slowly but quickly lifts off with enough force to achieve orbit, while the likes of ‘Idol Minded’, ‘Nemesis’, ‘Slaughter’, and ‘Prime Evil’ (complete with contributions from Cephalic Carnage guitarist Brian Hopp) pile on the speed.

‘Bring on the War’ and the crushing title track come equipped with a groove-heavy enough to level cities, while ‘Grief’ lurches and crawls like an irradiated mutant, and the eight-minute epic ‘Miserere of the Dead’ is an ambitious slab of 1980s inspired intensity. Closing with an impressive cover of ‘The Time to Kill Is Now’ by death metal legends Cannibal Corpse, Detritus of the Final Age combines the groove and savagery of the likes of Kreator, Exodus, Vio-Lence, and Slayer, but through some nice little unique touches of their own, possesses more than enough personality to separate it from the crowd.

Buy the album here: https://metalblade.com/harlott/

8/10

GARY ALCOCK