Review: Paraletica - Inferno EP

I'd heard snippets from this, the debut EP from The UK's Paraletica online earlier this year, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to listen to the whole package in context and in the order it was supposed to be heard. I have to shamefully admit that I had preconceptions of how this was going to sound - Just another 'retro' band who have no chance of being taken seriously in the modern era. Well, I am extremely happy to report that this is FAR from the case.

For a band with such humble beginnings - a bunch of like-minded guys playing Thrash Metal covers for fun - to take the huge step forward to becoming a serious act with their own songs is one not to be sniffed at. And to do it successfully is even more impressive.

If you want a rough idea of what band sounds like musically, just think Anthrax and Agent Steel with hints of Overkill. I really can't give it any higher praise than that. From the Anthrax-influenced "When Worlds Collide" to the full on Trad Heavy Metal assault of the brilliant "The Crimson Tor", this is classic Speed/Thrash, but with some nice modern Metal touches which gives it  a powerful, surprisingly polished and rounded sound.

This is a band that is clearly on the same page when it comes to influences and is comprised of top-notch musicians to boot. When you add a large dash of song-writing nous to the mix, then they are onto a winning formula. Credit must be given too, for such superb production work - This EP sounds every bit as good as most 'professionally' produced releases I've heard this year, but with an added raw 'live' feel. The perfect package, one could say.

On the basis of this EP alone, this is a band that can easily stand tall and hold their own with the Eviles and Gama Bombs of the world. In a recent development, the band have parted ways with the vocalist who features on this EP. This could have been disastrous for a band at such an embryonic stage in its development. Fortunately, the band have just announced on their official site, the addition to the ranks of a new (and frankly, better) vocalist. If there is any justice in the world then you will be seeing Paraletica go on to bigger and better things in the near future.

Fans of Thrash Metal will find much here to sink their teeth into and if the recent Thrash 'revival' has left you wanting something with a little more substance, than you need look no further.

You can read more about the band, hear their music, look out for upcoming shows and even support them by buying some merch by clicking on the link below:

www.paraletica.co.uk