Album Review: "7" by To The Pain

7

The world has changed.

I remember when the only touring and recording independent artist I could name was MC Chris, but I can remember the first time I purchased an independently produced album.

It was A Dying Breed by the local metal act, Crucible. That was in 1992. I've been supporting indie music since before it was a bumper sticker.

Back then, it was hard to get out there. How would a band get their name out before the internet, iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, Twitter, Facebook, and the like.

I have no idea. In this day and age indie artists have won grammys. That's just hard to fathom. It's now possible to make your way alone in the music industry, at least somewhat alone.

To The Pain

Today's artist is an indie thrash metal band. They're self releasing their sophomore album, 7.

Thrash metal is very near and dear to my heart and the hearts of millions of metalheads. It was the first time that a totally new genre of metal sprung up out of the founders' music.

Now we look at the Founders of Thrash, the Big 4 as it were...

To The Pain (Princess Bride reference?) pay great homage to the big four, but do not sound like them.

Palm muted riffs, liberal dashes of double bass drums, and rippin' guitar solos are to be found and enjoyed all over 7.

However, I can't point to a riff, a solo, or anything and say oh that's Metallica, that's Testament, that's Megadeth.

Certainly some techniques of those bands are there, but not the feel. That's the perfect way to honor your forebears, to learn from their techniques and go your own way.

To The Pain has made a spectacular, if short, album of old school thrash full of dynamic twists, turns, and surprises.

If you remotely like any other band I've referenced here, To The Pain might be your new favorite band.

Release: 7/20/15
Genre: Thrash Metal
Label: DIY
Facebook Link
Reverb Nation (Sample the tunes)