Chronosphere - Embracing Oblivion (2014)^{Release ID: 38294}

Ah Greece.  The home of Hellenic black metal and oddly enough the latterly red-trousered thrash metallers known as Chronosphere.  For some reason on their band photos all of the band are in red pants - I assume to do with the release that follows this one, Red n' Roll.  Anyway, back in 2014, Chronosphere were not wearing red leg attire and managed to churn out a blistering album of decent quality thrash metal in Embracing Oblivion.  Capturing a real sense of flow, these guys certainly know their thrash metal credentials and come blazing out of the blocks early on with Killing My Sins which isn't anywhere near as clunky as the name might suggest.

Although not anything new, Chronosphere take the classic elements of Testament and apply flashes of modern influences such as Havok and Warbringer to good effect.  Vocalist Spyros Lafias is very reminiscent of Chuck Billy in his style and the rest of the band deploy gang chant backing vocals a la Exodus to support his fine pipes along the way.  Lead guitarist Panos Tsampras certainly can play, filling the album with an array of classy leads alongside his chopping duties with Spyros.  The drums are a bit too far back in the mix for my personal taste but they are audible still, I sense that Thanos Krommidas is more than competent though, I just struggle to hear his whole performance in the mix.  As a unit though, the four piece sound tight on this their second full-length.  I understand that Panos is gone now favouring a more heavy metal/rock style in his new band which on first instinct would be a big loss for Chronosphere based on his performance here.

Overall though this is exciting and intense thrash metal, well-executed and delivered by capable musicians.  The odd track slips up and shows elements of annoyance along the way (that irritating riff on Brutal Decay) but in comparison to Tumourboy who I also listened to today, these boys are light years ahead of them.  Shreds galore here folks.