Entrench - Through the Walls of Flesh (2017)

The first Entrench record, Inevitable Decay, was this awesome slab of Teutonic-infused thrashing nastiness out of Sweden that really impressed me across a score or more of spins, but sort of fell out of my rotation for whatever reason as I was exploring a lot more throwbacks into the whole blackened speed/thrash style, which one might argue they were bordering on the periphery of, including the amazing Antichrist and their debut stunner Forbidden World. Its follow-up Violent Procreation was likewise pretty solid, but didn't seem to get much buzz, and I didn't listen to it quite as much as its predecessor. Forward to 2017, and now Entrench are on the same label as Antichrist (I Hate records), and still spitting out some of the more vitriolic, sincere, atmospheric stuff in this category.

It's hardly novel, it's not without  its flaws, but Through the Walls of Flesh is very enjoyable, hearkening back to that European proto-thrash that developed in both response and accordance with the West Coast US emergence of Slayer and Possessed. We're not talking a shallow knockoff of Pleasure to Kill or Sentence of Death here. There is a degree of that, but Entrench do a damn good job of giving it a fulfilling treatment so that it's something you might not IGNORE in lieu of its influences, but actually want to experience alongside them. Barbaric, fast paced tremolo picking is the go-to, but they keep these rhythm guitars interesting enough, bloodied and fresh even when the style itself seems highly redundant to a hundred tracks you've already heard. Fredrick Pellbrink also has this really caustic, nihilistic bark to him that works extremely well as it navigators the dirtnap inducing speed and volatile instrumentation, like an evil Swedish Razor. He's like an unholy amalgamation of Ron Rineheart (Dark Angel), Ron Royce (Coroner) and Tom Araya, and without him the music might lose some of its sense of immediacy and anger, which is impressive since he's also the guitarist...

I also like the little touches of proto-death metal that rear their primal, ugly heads here in tunes like "Enter the Fray" or "Iron Coffin", channeling a little of the early Death circa "Pull the Plug". The drums are just a raging force throughout the record, driving and blasting with ample thunder, while the bass guitar peals along pretty well so you can hear it right along the rhythm tracks. There's a whole lot of hellish 'hustle' when the pacing picks up, like you're being trampled by a herd of abyssal bulls being driven away from their demonic wranglers, for fear of their damned afterlives. Lots of flavorful, evil little licks here that will thrill fans of Antichrist or Deathhammer, and the leads are well-structured to complement the rhythm guitar riffs while adding just the proper level of escape and atmosphere that elevate the music into a total package. I'm not saying that everything here is equally memorable, but Entrench is another band who seem like they're really on the level, cognizant of where they come from, and translating their influences into something that is still vile, resonant and worthwhile even in 2017, rather than the vapid indistinct pizza thrashing of lesser scum. Good stuff here; I think Inevitable Decay remains my favorite, but this one certainly lives up to its legacy.

Verdict: Win [8/10]

https://www.facebook.com/entrench

Entrench - Inevitable Decay (2011)

The first thing that struck me about the Entrench debut was the gaudy and colorful cover art, which to some might seem disgusting or tasteless, but to this old timer, brought me back to the halcyon days of the 80s when a lot of bands on the underground circuit simply did not have the scratch or pull to get some masterpiece illustration or painting for their recordings (see Anvil Bitch, etc.) Blasted out buildings of antiquity, a straight red logo and nothing pretentious or presumptuous anywhere in sight. This is all too fitting for Inevitable Decay, an album which does its damned best to recapture the virile energy of the German band Kreator during their prime of the mid 80s period, from the vocals to the intensity of the riffing.

Now, it's not 100% Kreator worship, but it's damned close. You'll also hear a lot of their fellows Destruction in the crisper guitar tone, plus the belligerent bluster of Sodom, but in general, there is an indisputable, highly Germanic retrospective element happening here. Rather than just settle into the shadows as a tribute, though, Entrench actually implement some thunder and lightning to their compositions, so despite their obvious derivation they've got an admittedly fun fucking debut album with this, and one that I've been listening to several times just because I truly rue the fact that there aren't more bands today doing SOMETHING with this sound (even the progenitors have moved onwards). The many demos this Swedish band recorded prior to the full-length have obviously sharpened their skills and dedication, and Inevitable Decay must now join Havok's Time is Up as one of the premiere 'retro' thrash recordings of the year 2011. So, there. I have decreed it! It must be true! Oh, stop snickering in the background.

Like almost every good thrash record, this one functions due to not only the bleeding speed and proficiency of its musicians, but also the varied pacing dynamics which make it feel like a pure 80s effort, since there were few bands in that day that would go 100% in one direction without the rock influence of multiple tempos, power ballads and such. Entrench can thrust along with intricate numbers like "As Dawn Breaks" and "Doubt What's Left" which recall Pleasure to Kill, Kill 'Em All and Sentenced to Death at their most blistering, but they also tone down the speed for some great mid-paced chops throughout "Into Oblivion", "Portrait of a Phobia" or "Blind Illusion" (try NOT banging your head out to that last one). But what really rules about this band is that such obvious effort has been placed in every track...none of these tunes feel like 'filler', even if they can all be traced back to the 25-year lineage of the genre.

Inevitable Decay does not 'advance' or expand the thrash metal genre. This is not Vektor, who have a good chance of offering us some progression in places. But for what they do, Entrench are damned good at it, and if I am to sit through a record which celebrates what must be my favorite of all sub-genres, then I want it to be serious, energetic and durable. These songs aren't all about fucking sluts, drinking beers and being 'OMG WE'RE SO THRASH'. This is not the work of petulant children, but guys who really love those old records and want to do honor by them. With such a cavalcade of blazing riffage and authentic, thin yet potent production, they have the potential to quicken paces and disable pacemakers everywhere. Inevitable Decay is not an original or innovative work, but in every other category of consideration, it kicks asses straight into the goal.

Verdict: Win [8.5/10]

http://www.myspace.com/entrench