HAMEREX
“THE ABYSS VOL.1”
E.P. Review by Iron Mathew

9/10

Hamerex are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 2004, releasing to date three albums – ‘Rites Of Passage’ (2012), ‘IX’ (2013), and ‘Traitor’ (2016), and four E.P.’s – ‘Into War’ (2009), ‘The Lycan’ (2010), ‘The Last Ride’ (2015), and ‘The Abyss Vol. 1’ (2018).

The four song E.P. contains two new songs, as well as new recordings of ‘The Dark Tower’ (from the ‘Traitor’ album) and ‘The Extremist’ (from the ‘IX’ album). Launching the E.P. is the re-recorded ‘The Extremist’, delivered at a blistering pace, and with a lot more aggression and ferocity than the original from what I remember. Founding member, guitarist Steve Blower, continues with the vocal duties, spitting venom with every rasp and growl, as ‘The Extremist’ hurtles past at break neck speed. A Slayer like brutality accompanies ‘The Extremist’ from start to finish, with vigorous head banging the order of the day. The first new song ‘Broken’ brings forth a shuddering heaviness, propelled forward by the awesome buzzing guitar sound synonymous with the iconic NWOBHM evolution during the eighties. ‘Broken’ has pace too, galloping hard like a Grand National winner towards the finish line.

The guitar led intro to the second re-recorded song ‘The Dark Tower’ sets a sinister, almost menacing atmosphere as it rumbles into life, with a relentless chugging rhythm pushing the song along. Hamerex are a British band, proudly delivering the classic and traditional style of heavy metal, yet with this new release, a thrash metal influence has had a striking effect on the bands sound. In fact, if this is your first experience of Hamerex, you might actually think that they are indeed, a thrash metal band.

The final song from the first release in the E.P. trilogy, and the second new song, is ‘Crucifixion’, featuring the bands bass player on lead vocals. ‘Crucifixion’ continues with the bands rougher and gruffer sound, mixing elements of thrash and NWOBHM with the heavy riffing style of seventies era Black Sabbath. With each release, Hamerex have evolved and progressed their sound, yet have still managed to keep their British roots intact. ‘The Abyss Vol.1’ has set the standard very high for the rest of the trilogy to follow, with the expectation level very high for what is still to come.

Overall, a thundering and head bangingly addictive release from a band at the top of their game, proudly delivering the traditional British heavy metal sound.

TRACKLIST

The Extremist
Broken
The Dark Tower
Crucifixion

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