November 11th, 2023
Steel Casket
'Murder In The First Degree'
In the world of thrash metal, it's a rarity to stumble upon a band that not only revives the essence of the genre but also injects it with a contemporary edge. Steel Casket, hailing from Reno, Nevada, does precisely that with their latest offering, "Murder In The First Degree." Formed in 2018, this four-piece ensemble has steadily risen through the ranks, and this album is a testament to their dedication and raw talent.
The band, comprised of Ronan Sua, Seth Mathews, Ben Smith, and Spencer Leighton, channels influences ranging from Exodus to Gojira, Death to Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest to the Ramones. This eclectic mix of influences is evident throughout the album, offering a fresh yet nostalgic experience for thrash metal aficionados.
"Murder In The First Degree" spans 10 tracks, running a concise 33 minutes and 26 seconds, embodying the essence of thrash metal with its brevity and intensity. The production is raw and DIY, with the album being recorded, mixed, and mastered in-house at The Crypt Studios. It is rough around the edges? Yes and that comes with its own charms but one does wonders how much this material would be lifted up with a higher production value but at least it’s showcasing the band's commitment to authenticity.
The opening track, "Another Tomorrow," sets a somber tone with its clean guitar intro and once we are hit with solid distorted riffage, it lights up the stage for an album filled with relentless energy. The solo, particularly its dual end section, is a highlight, showcasing the lead guitarist’s technical prowess.
"War Is The Answer" follows, starting with a great Victory Cadence and evolving into a stop-start riff reminiscent of Metallica's "Damage Inc." This is one of the best songs on the album and makes good use of dual lead runs throughout the great solo section.
"Wake The Dead" breaks the album's pattern with its clean bass intro and an intriguing interlude, demonstrating the band's willingness to experiment within their established sound for the first time on the album. "Revenant Feast" follows suit, offering a creepier, more atmospheric approach before launching into Megadeth-esque riffing and is most likely the best song on the album. I can’t stress enough how good these solos are - both hard-hitting and fairly intricate.
The title track, "Murder In The First Degree," is a straightforward headbanger, with a main verse riff that boasts a compelling hammer-on/off feel. This track, like many others on the album, is a testament to Steel Casket's ability to create catchy, hard-hitting songs that stay with you long after the album ends.
The song structures stays focused, a recurring theme in the album, with most songs maintaining a tight structure and avoiding unnecessary meandering. Yet this listener would like if the band brought in a new riff into the bridge sections to shape the dynamics of the songs a bit more – but most songs don’t go over 3 minutes so most wouldn’t lend themselves to these advice.
"Meltdown" and "Annihilate" continue the onslaught, with the latter channeling a Pantera/Megadeth vibe and featuring another standout solo. The dual lead runs are particularly impressive, highlighting the band's skill in crafting solos that are both technically sound and emotionally charged.
Have a listen to the album below ->
Youtube Music? Check out Steel Casket here!
The two-part "One Last Ride" offers a chunky, gripping intro in its first part, and the second part continues with similar riffing, posing the question of whether these two tracks would have been better served as a single epic piece.
The album closes with "Empty," an instrumental that showcases the band's ability to create compelling music without vocals but only gets interesting about a minute in with the additional guitar taking the lead, offering a fitting and introspective end to a powerhouse of an album.
Steel Casket's "Murder In The First Degree" is an impressive feat, particularly for an unsigned band. The vocals, blending thrash and black metal elements, add a unique flavor to the album, and the band's DIY approach to recording adds a raw, authentic feel that's often missing in modern metal. Boden Smith's artwork complements the album's tone, providing a visual representation of the band's gritty, no-holds-barred approach to music.
In conclusion, "Murder In The First Degree" is a must-listen for fans of thrash metal. It's a refreshing nod to the genre's roots while offering something new and exciting. Steel Casket may be a relatively new name in the metal scene, but with albums like this, they're poised to become a staple for metalheads seeking a blend of old-school thrash and modern sensibilities. I would definitely love to hear this go to the next level, in terms of songwriting and production values, the DIY is commendable as they flesh out their initial sound but they now need to aim higher because if they do - they could be Nevadas next metal export.
Apple Music? Check out Steel Casket here!
