Holy blindsided fuck! What do you get when you combine the best of Absu, Skeletonwitch and Toxic Holocaust? You get sheer madness known as The Day of the Beast, that’s what you fucking get! Hailing from Virginia, The Day of the Beast is, simply put, some of the best blackened thrash I have EVER heard. Having just released their debut record, I received this full length in the mail a few weeks ago, along with a couple other Canonical Hours releases. I tell you, these guys have probably been checking this site wondering when the hell I’ll get their reviews up, well, it’s because Canonical Hours has risen up from out of nowhere to become one of my new favorite indie labels with me partaking in vast amounts of listening pleasures, and this album has much to do with it!

For those who may not be familiar with blackened thrash, The Day of the Beast are, essentially a thrash metal band, but with grittier black metal-like riffs and turbo charged percussion leading to that wall of sound that black metal is known for. However, what makes blackened thrash so awesome is the rawness of it from its black metal tendencies, but with an excellent barrage of thrash riffs that are more aimed at breaking your head from your shoulders than meandering you into some uber deep meaning that black metallers tend to try and achieve.

To put it quite simply, this album is just a blast to listen to. From the open track, to the closer, I really just want to lock my door and start jamming in the middle of my floor whilst jumping off my bed all while trying to avoid ripping the headphones from my head. Realistically, is there any other aim for thrash? I submit that there is not. I really can’t say enough good things about this band. Black metal rawness, headbangable thrash riffs, all rolled up together into a delicable treat that you just never get sick of.

Next step, await for these guys to announce a national tour so I can go and get my thrash fix in big way! To one and all, seriously, go out and buy this album and others from Canonical Hours, you will NOT be disappointed. I guarantee it!

AMAZING

Top Tracks: Pangea Rising, Predator’s Path, Beyond Chorazon, Harvest of the Heretic, etc etc etc…

Similar Artists: Skeletonwitch, Absu, Toxic Holocaust, Witchaven

1.    Pangaea Rising    04:30
2.    Predator’s Path    02:44
3.    Beyond Choronzon    04:08
4.    Harvest of the Heretics    02:59
5.    Dead But Dreaming    00:53
6.    He Who Shuns the Light    04:55
7.    The Crawling Chaos    03:25
8.    Awakening of the Morningstar    03:38
9.    De Vermis Mysteriis    02:46
10.    Upon the Throne    06:45

Steve – Vocals
Christian – Guitar
Eric – Guitar
Justin Shaw – Bass
Jeremy – Drums
Canonical Hours Records

http://www.thedayofthebeast.com/

http://www.myspace.com/thedayofthebeast

Review by CODY