Adelaide four-piece, Alkira release the much anticipated full length, “Klotho” after the success of “Juggernaut” (2014) blending thrash, punk, and hardcore the way they know how. Hospice leads the way for an onslaught of the senses as the guitar duo of Kyle Simpson, and Gregory Challis lay down some bone-crushing riffs that only get more technical on next track, Karmaphala. The sing-a-long chants and growls bring the classic ‘Ausgebombt‘ by German thrash kings Sodom to mind. Apart from the guitar wizardry on display one cannot go past the behemoth behind the kit Ryan Quarrington and Sean Grubel keeping up on the four string.
While many thrash groups tend to fire more of the same/same, this is not the case here with Alkira, who reload with different bullets each time. A Thalidomide Child is an epic display of thrash and classic guitar solos that would please metal fans of any genre. Throw some growls into the mix and bang that head to the brutal groove. Gene Supremacy is a stand-out with an evil riff that Beelzebub would approve with open horns. The drum rolls to end the track show the amazing technique of Quarrington who can throw out blast-beats like the best of them, continuing on at break-neck speed with, The Null, another highlight.
With no duds intact, Alkira has created an absolute monster of a record. Heavy hitter, The Hybrid Horde makes way for the instrumental interlude of The Curse of Clotho, finishing with the opus that is The Last Life. An online bonus track of the Metallica classic, Ride the Lightning is worth the extra six-plus minutes as one can never have too much thrash in their life.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jocQl4wf9NU&w=560&h=315]
Breathing new life into the Australian thrash scene, Alkira must be followed closely. Having improved immensely with a sound that is world class. Working with Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Krisiun) who mixed the album and Alan Douches (Sepultura, Hatebreed, Converge) who provided the mastering, has paid off well.
