Prepare to be Insinnerated

There are so many poser bands nowadays. So many of them trying to be “thrash,” to be cool. So many bands attempting to sound and look like the heroes from the 1980s San Francisco Bay are just lying around getting noticed and taking up someone else’s space.

Insinnerator is not one of those bands.

Insinnerator belongs at the forefront of the new wave of thrash metal.

Their debut album “Stalagmite of Ice” is flawless.

This three piece act from Dallas, Texas has been working and playing their asses off throughout the summer independently, proving that unsigned acts can still find a way to do all the touring and festival playing the signed ones can on a smaller scale.

Labels be warned, the time may be now where bands stop depending on you.

Insinnerator’s album has that perfect sound that many bands have been trying to imitate for years. The quality is raw, but well-produced at the same time. Christopher “Atomic Thrasher’s” riffs are exciting and pay an excellent homage to Possessed and Kreator, without falling into the “heard this already” category. “Brutal” Ben’s bass lines are jumpy and bonk around in the right places, and Juan “Speed”’s drumming is reminiscent of Gene Hoglan’s days in Dark Angel. The band, as a whole, shows very strong influences from their hometown heroes Gammacide, Rigor Mortis and Devastation as well as many bay area legends such as Dark Angel, Hirax, and Vio-Lence.

We haven’t touched upon the vocals yet.

“Brutal” Ben has captured the random high pitches and odd timing of the late great legendary Exodus frontman Paul Baloff. His voice is like a combination of Baloff’s, a young James Hetfield’s, (Metallica) Bobby Blitz (Overkill) and Schmier’s (Destruction).

Standout tracks from the album include the heavy as hell opener “Evil Sprit From Beyond,” “Children of the Cult” – which features a very catchy bass line before it rips you a new one, The title track, and “Money for a Good Mood.”

The album as a whole is absolutely timeless. It is a strong debut with everything an old school headbanger is looking for. The album sounds like it was recorded in the early ’80s and there is no filler on it. Nor is there any hint of the “retro” trend going on. This will surely be a rare find at some point in time and has no reason to not be in any thrasher’s collection.