Hatchet - Awaiting Evil Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 06.02.2008
Hatchet is a Bay Area thrash band trying to make it big with their debut album, Awaiting Evil. Can the fivesome make an impact amongst the crowded thrash metal field?
The Band
Marcus Kirchen-Vocals
Julian Ramos-Guitar
Sterling Bailey-Guitar
Dan Voigt-Bass
Alex Perez-Drums
The Track Listing
1. Darkening Skies-2:01
2. Frailty Of The Flesh-4:18
3. Sealed Fate-4:40
4. Frozen Hell-4:23
5. Attack Imminent-5:04
6. Morlocks Tomb-5:17
7. Storm The Gates-5:51
8. The Dead Will March-4:37
9. Awaiting Evil-5:46
The Review
Thrash/speed metal band Hatchet is one of many bands that leading the new wave of thrash metal in California. Most metal fans know the influence that the Bay Area in California had on thrash metal in the early to mid 1980’s. While the area’s influence has died down a bit, Hatchet is one of many Bay Area bands looking to make a name for themselves in a field that becoming more and more crowded as the days go on. Their debut album, Awaiting Evil, does just that and signifies the possible launching band for one of the best new thrash metal bands out there.
When I review albums, I like to sit down with a notepad and just write what I’m feeling, thinking, etc. as I listen to an album. Awaiting Evil was the first album in a long time that I just sat down and listened to it from front to back without writing much down. Hatchet demands your attention for 42 minutes and, with the exception of the standard acoustic introduction that every thrash metal band seems to use these days, keeps it with a full on thrash metal blast that doesn’t slow down for a second.
The songs fly by at a rapid pace, giving you almost no time to catch your breath. That can lead to songs blending together until all you hear is a blur of metal, but there is enough musical ideas to differentiate the songs. Most of this is from guitarists Julian Ramos and Sterling Bailey.
Ramos does the lead and rhythm guitar work, while Bailey sticks with rhythm guitar. Together, they make a hell of a guitar duo, arguably one of the best up and coming duos in thrash metal today. They play off each other well and make the album a thrash beast, especially in the Iron Maiden-esche “Frozen Hell,” where duel solos run rampant. Ramos surprised the hell out of me throughout the album. His playing, especially in the solo sections, is like every 80’s guitarist all rolled into one. There is no doubt that Awaiting Evil is Ramos’ album and he takes the helm at every opportunity to lead the album towards thrash metal greatness.
The songs themselves are solid, with most of them being straight knuckle metal. The band does get epic from time to time, mostly in the long introductions to “Sealed Fate,” “Storm The Gates,” and the title track. The title track is one of the best thrash songs I have heard in a while, with a catchy chorus and a minute long solo that goes from shredding to finger tapping to melodic strumming.
The rest of the band does a competent job. Dan Voigt is clearly heard in the mix and keeps up perfectly with the guitars throughout the album. Alex Perez does a solid job on the drums, with some quick fills on “Sealed Fate” and “Attack Imminent” that impressed this reviewer.
The only musician that stands out, for the wrong reason, is vocalist Marcus Kirchen. I will admit, at first I was not impressed with his vocals. He does the “spit the vocals out as fast as possible” style and didn’t fit with the music, in my mind. Over time, I started to become adjusted to his style, and once he actually started to sing and add some nicely placed Tom Araya-like wails, I warmed up to Kirchen. He’s not the best metal vocalist out there, but he is good enough to satisfy most thrash metal fans.
Awaiting Evil is a solid debut for this thrash/speed metal foursome. Hatchet deserves to be named alongside Evile, Toxic Holocaust, and other new thrash metal bands out there. Most likely, this release will be glossed over by metal fans, which is a shame. Awaiting Evil is one of the better thrash debut albums I have heard this year and one that deserves your time and attention. If you wish it was 1986 all over again, then Awaiting Evil will help you relive the glory days. Just don’t listen to it and expect to look cool with your leather jacket and dirty ripped jeans that are two sizes too small for you.
The 411: Awaiting Evil is a solid debut that brings the thrash and doesn't fuck around for over 40 minutes. The songs are fast, furious, and has some of the best lead work I've heard in a while. The band is immensely talented and it's only a matter of time before they make it big. Pick this up, as Hatchet should be named alongside up-and-coming thrash bands like UK's Evile as part of the new wave of thrash metal.
