01/29/2025 23:49
Hirax
Hirax announce 'Faster than Death' album
The US thrash metal veterans Hirax once again invite you to a good portion of unadulterated thrash metal. The band will release their sixth album, 'Faster than Death', on February 21st via Doomentia Records and on Feb 28th via Armageddon Label. Its release will coincide with Hirax's 40th anniversary.
Cover artwork, courtesy of Thomas Pinheiro.
Track listing:
1. Drill into the Brain
2. Armageddon
3. Drowned Bodies
4. Faster than Death
5. Psychiatric Ward
6. Relentless
7. Revenant
8. Warlord's Command
9. Worlds End
Life is short and let's face it, our time on this rotten planet is limited. So why not make out the best of it and just go full throttle as if there was no tomorrow? This has always been the Hirax motto for the last forty years. Their indestructible frontman Katon W. De Pena may have celebrated his 61st birthday last September but time has seemingly no grip on him, the man is raging as if it was 1984 all over again.
As a matter of fact, in 2024 Hirax still dances on the fence bordering thrash, hardcore, punk and crossover while frantically throwing their collective middle finger at whoever begs to differ. In August, they released an explosive four-track, immediately sold-out EP 'Faster than Death' – and first proper set of new music since 2014's 'Immortal Legacy' – it is a vicious and to-the-point eight minutes long beast, said to be a taster of things to come and warn listeners to run for cover...
Clocked at 20 minutes and 28 seconds, produced and mixed by cult Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T, Loudness and Megadeth-related Max Norman and engineered by longtime collaborator Bill Metoyer (Flotsam And Jetsam, Sacred Reich, Slayer etc.), 'Faster than Death' aptly deserves its title. Featuring different versions of the songs displayed on the previous EP, eight new originals and one remake of 'Warlords Command' from their cult 1985 debut 'Raging Violence', it destroys – no, wait – obliterates all competition. Forget about all those so-called "new" old-school thrashers or supposedly "lost" bands getting back together for a buck or two. Hirax is the real deal. And before you complain about how "short" this album is, just try - yeah go on, try you poser - and see if you can sustain the blast. Besides, don't expect drummer extraordinaire and former Exhumed man Danny Walker or guitar player Neil Metcalf who both played on this recording, to try to slow things down, far from it...
Hirax have shared the stage with iconic peers such as Metallica, Exodus, Megadeth, and Slayer during the explosive rise of thrash metal in the 1980s. Originating from southern California, founding band member / lead vocalist Katon W. De Pena displays electrifying live performances and an uncompromising attitude which continues today. Now, four decades later, Hirax are cementing their status as legends within the genre, inspiring countless bands and fans alike, influencing such notable acts as Death, Deicide, Napalm Death, Spazz, Municipal Waste, Danko Jones, Japan's Abigail, Germany's Rykers, Anal Cunt, and Deceased among others.
Throughout their career, Hirax released a series of influential albums and EPs that pushed the boundaries of thrash metal, combining technical proficiency with raw aggression. Hirax have toured the world, performing in venues and festivals throughout almost every country in South America, all over Europe, as well as Japan, United States, etc. Hirax continue to be revered as trailblazers who helped define and popularize thrash metal.
With Hirax's latest 'Faster than Death', Katon has gathered a new live lineup around him with Jose Gonzalez, Allan Chan, and Emilio Marquez. Faster Than Death is the impressive result that makes the hearts of all thrash metal fans beat faster and puts a real strain on the neck muscles.
'Faster than Death' will be out via Armageddon Label on CD and 12" vinyl (orange vinyl and yellow vinyl, both limited to 250), and via Doomentia Records on die hard 12" vinyl version (ultra-thick casewrapped gatefold with black interior and glossy lamination; black and gold heavy weight 180gsm vinyl; printed inner sleeve; A2 poster), digipak CD (8-page booklet and glossy lamination) and cassette (5-panel J-card; red shell and yellow shell colors).
(source: Armageddon Label / Doomentia Records)