So those of us who grew up in the ’80s will no doubt remember that feeling. You walk into your buddy’s room after school and hear some new band blasting out of the stereo or cassette player. It’s a feeling that’s unmatched to this day.
And if you were anything like me, your next move was hopping on your bike and racing to the local record store at top speed to snag your own copy. Sure, it ended in disappointment more often than not, but when you scored? Man, it felt like walking on air.
OK, so where are we goin’ with this, MAESTRO? Well, the reason for the big wind-up is so I can throw you a nice, fat meatball right down the middle. I’m talking about ERADIKATED and their latest album, Wiring of Violence (out now via Indie Recordings).
This is album No. 2 following 2023’s Descendants, which scored a Swedish Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album of the Year. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
So how is this one?
In a word: badass.
This is serious thrash packed with fearsome riffs and rough-and-ready vocals courtesy of Elvin Landaeus Csizmadia (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Ragnar Östberg (lead guitar). Meanwhile, Erland Östberg (bass) and Calle Frogner Moberg (drums) provide the rhythmic air support.
After a somewhat silly intro, the record really kicks into gear with “British Petroleum,” “Mortality,” and “Again I Rise.” That latter tune was my favorite right from the jump. And “Culling” is a headbanger that throws the entire kitchen sink at you.
“Tsar” goes from hell to breakfast in about 60 seconds flat like a Ferrari, while “Precipice” slices through the speakers like a great white shark’s dorsal fin as it circles its prey — perhaps a swimmer for lunch?
The title track “Wiring of Violence” is another winner, while “Confession” rolls along with a stalking bass groove that I absolutely love. Then “Ashes” comes in to crack your skull wide open like Nicky Santoro in Casino (he’s stupid like that, but that’s his business and just what he does), and closes the album on a strong note.
All told, Wiring of Violence is a tasty slice of thrash that calls back to the old days without sounding dated. ERADIKATED did some very nice work here. Now, if they ditch the goofy intro and extra track next time around, we’ll really be cooking.
STANDOUT TRACKS: “Wiring of Violence,” “Again I Rise,” “Confession”
RATING: 8/10
—THE MAESTRO
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