So… Sacrament of the Sick is the debut album from EXECUTIONIST — and believe you me, det’s a guud wonn (read that in your best Ahnold voice). A potent mix of thrash metal and DIY grit, this record demands your attention from the first note to the last.
From the outset, the quartet — Brett Ash (vocals/guitar), brother Tristan Ash (drums), Austin Rose (bass), and Mike Kinder (guitar) — wastes zero time. Your neck’s in danger the moment “Edge of Annihilation” hits, followed by the crushing “Wheels of War.”
That second track? Easily my runaway favorite. Bloodthirsty vocals and guitar work that hits like an HK unit from The Terminator.
Then there’s “Serrated Shadows,” another standout loaded with ferocious riffs and a ripping solo that seals the deal. Chef’s kiss.
“Divided We Stand” stomps in and puts its boot on your throat — and you’ll love it. “Thy Kingdom Come” shifts from zero to sixty like a test-track sports car, while “Strange Aeons” drags you through the mud like a slasher from beyond the tree line.
The closer, “Coup de Grâce,” lives up to its name — ending the album with as much venom as it started, maybe more.
Bottom line: Sacrament of the Sick is one badass debut from EXECUTIONIST. If this is what they’re bringing out of the gate, count me all the way in for whatever comes next.
Standout Tracks: “Edge of Annihilation,” “Wheels of War,” “Serrated Shadows,” “Strange Aeons”
Rating: 9/10
– THE MAESTRO
