Record Review: Gama Bomb – Bats
I’ve been planning on doing record reviews since I launched the site. Here’s the first one, so you can see why I’ve been putting it off.
Read on for an unbiased, ramble about Gama Bomb’s newest bit of thrash metal greatness.
Is that technically a spoiler? If it is, you obviously haven’t been listening to the show. I’m a little disappointed.
Artist: Gama Bomb
Album: Bats
Release Date: November 10, 2023
Genre: Thrash/Speed Metal
Let’s just start off my first review on the site by setting some basic expectations. I am not musically trained. I don’t know a lot of “official” terminology for music stuff. If you’re looking for a technically in depth review of an album, this isn’t going to scratch your itch. If you buy me a drink, I might help with that itchy spot between your shoulders you can’t reach though. With that out of the way, shall we dig in?
I credit Gama Bomb as one of the bands that lead to my thrash metal revival as an adult. I was a “huge” metal head in high school, but drifted away from the flock as I followed the siren song of punk rock. I’m going to assume the reader is already familiar with my observations on the 2 schools of thrash (Episode 027 | November 30, 2023). I love bands that don’t take themselves too seriously and of the metal bands who use humor, Gama Bomb is one of the best in my book. So, we go into this acknowledging my bias and lack of any sort of credible authority on the subject.
For the gatekeepers and pedants out there, I’d really say that this one leans more speed metal with a swerve or two into what I’d call “just regular heavy metal” territory now and again. Not that this really matters, but if you shelve your records by genre, plan accordingly. While not as fast as the likes of Speed Between The Lines for the most part, this record still fucking rips. Yes, there’s a bit of sax and a rap breakdown right at the start of the album. Ok, there’s two songs with sax. I said what I said. Fucking rips.
If you need your metal full of tough guy bravado, detailed lists of various violence carried out in the name of satan, and the fastest of “meddlely mee” (I have no idea how it’s spelled, but you know what I’m talking about) solos, then maybe go buy another Slayer record or go see what Metallica is up to these days.
Bats is a fun fucking metal record. Stand out track for me is “Don’t Get Your Hair Cut” but the whole thing rules. I don’t think I’m quite ready to start giving out scores or grades or numbers of stars in these reviews so let’s just skip that part and go with “you should probably buy this one” and call it good enough.
Band Website: https://linktr.ee/gamabomb
Buy It: https://gamabomb.bandcamp.com/album/bats
Recommended If You Like: pizza thrash, NWOTM, Municipal Waste, Anthrax, fun
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