Arizona thrash quartet Intent follow up their 2018 debut album Vox Populi with a sophomore release that is relentless from start to finish. Let’s just say that if you like thrash metal, particularly with a large serving of Slayer, then Exile should grab you by the cojones and pull hard.
But to say this is a Slayer copycat outfit would be grossly unfair. Intent mix plenty of thrash styles into their own approach, pouring in a range of influences which feature everything from the older school Bay Area legends to Germanic thrash as well as bringing a contemporary hard crossover edge that forges the sound of the likes of Enforced and Power Trip.
The album is delivered at breakneck speed. The sheer pace of opener “Victims of Conquest” is ferocious, with drummer Garrett Loper delivering a blistering tempo. Throw in dual shredding from Jeremy Lambert and fellow guitarist Laithan Bellavance and you have a brutal attack which takes no prisoners. For a thrash enthusiast, Intent tick all the right boxes. It’s a no holds barred aural assault that incredibly increases its intensity as it powers along. The title track is so fast it leaps out from the opener in blistering fashion.
If you like what we do, consider joining us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
At times, Exile feels like a runaway racehorse. It’s so fast that you feel that the control is only just being maintained. There are moments of absolute chaos where you do wonder if the wheels are going to come off, but the Arizona outfit pull it back brilliantly. Dropping to UK style thrash on “Primal Instinct” is a shock, as there is a definite Evile chug about the track with more focus on the thick riffing and rhythmic quality than the flat-out thrash that dominates the other songs. It’s great stuff and I cannot help but nod along as I listen.
Although one could say that Exile is a straightforward thrash metal album, dig a little deeper and you’ll find plenty going on. The musicianship is sharp, focused, and at times overwhelming in its technicality. The likes of “Verbatim” combine a battering ram rhythm section with some frenetic lead guitar work. Throw into the mix Lambert’s gravel-soaked roars and you’re getting some superb metal. Intent can change tempo and atmosphere as well, with penultimate track “Time” again echoing old school Evile. By the time you’ve reached the explosive finale of “5th Column” there is little to do but aim for another listen. It’s an absolute whirlwind of an album, bristling with rage and fire from start to finish. With progressive elements countering the undoubted chaos that reigns here, Intent has without doubt released one of the most brutal and destructive thrash albums of 2022.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Exile is out on August 26th
Check out all the bands we review in 2022 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!
