Starting as a grind/crust band, Newcastle's Hellbastard released thrash metal album 'Natural Order' for the annoyance of their former fans, who accused the band of turning into "rock stars". I don't believe the thrash metal maniacs were annoyed at all, though, since this is one small, rackety gem.

I believe this wasn't anything too unique even back in 1990, but I haven't encountered anything exactly similar either. Mainly good/very good riffing in European vein is the highlight element of the album. The guitar sound is biting and nastily ripping. There's some fine solos and melodic lead guitar work to be heard, mainly on side one (songs 1-5 to you all CD spinners) which offers quite a lot of variation (especially the opener 'Interrogate Them', the finest piece on this album). Sparse acoustic guitars are all good, except the closer 'T.A.F.' which does not fit on this album, being more like a rock thing. Otherwise side two offers total thrashing experience. Generally, some of the songs are simply too long for their own good or miss a good, different enough chorus. These are minor shortcomings, since the riffs usually rule. The Colin Richardson production is powerful, biting and quite raw, but still clean enough letting all the nuances be heard.

Some things aren't very thrashy on this album. The drumming is the main problem; okay, it's kicking and all, but a few simplistic beats aren't enough. Vocals are nasty at their best (raspy voice in general, with screams and more grunting voices to bring some variety), but too often they sound tame. The lyrics show the past of the band, as themes include anti-something (war, religion, legal praxis etc. etc.) lyrics. The band's performance is more or less energetic at times, mainly more, and also powerful enough.

'Natural Order' is a good thrash album for sure. Surprisingly metal, when thinking about Hellbastard's past musical bastardizations. Thrash metal collectors, get it if you find it, there's loads of treats on this fucker!

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
08/07/2005 20:06