| In the vast landscape of thrash metal’s resurgence, few bands can stake a claim as firmly as Xentrix with their latest offering, Seven Words. With nearly four decades of history, the Lancashire quartet has delivered an album that captures the essence of classic thrash while sounding refreshingly modern. Picking up the torch from 2019's well-received Bury the Pain, Xentrix has refined their craft, offering a masterclass in precision, aggression, and melodic depth.
Frontman Jay Walsh truly comes into his own on Seven Words. His commanding vocal presence, reminiscent of Tom Araya’s grit mixed with shades of James Hetfield’s melodic edge, adds a potent layer to the band’s sound. His lyrical contributions, packed with sharp social commentary and themes of war, resonate deeply with the turbulent times we face today. Walsh's chemistry with founding guitarist Kristian Havard shines through, their harmonized riffs and blistering solos weaving a tapestry of thrash excellence.
The album kicks off with the powerful “Behind the Walls of Treachery,” a track that combines a brooding intro with unrelenting downstrokes, immediately setting the tone. Songs like the title track, “Seven Words,” deliver a perfect balance of speed and melody, echoing the high-energy anthems of thrash’s golden age while maintaining a distinctly modern edge. Meanwhile, “Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead” showcases Xentrix’s ability to craft mid-tempo juggernauts with grooves that demand attention, allowing bassist Chris Shires and drummer Dennis Gasser to flex their rhythmic prowess.
One of the album's highlights, “Ghost Tape Number Ten,” stands out for its thematic depth, diving into psychological warfare with haunting riffs and dynamic tempo shifts. Similarly, “Anything But the Truth,” the album’s closer, offers a sprawling, apocalyptic finale that cements Seven Words as a cohesive and impactful journey.
Xentrix has struck a delicate balance on this record, delivering an album that feels both familiar and innovative. The songwriting is sharper than ever, filled with hooks that linger long after the final note. While the band stays true to the thrash blueprint, their subtle explorations of melody and structure elevate this release beyond a simple nostalgia trip.
Seven Words is not just a reminder of Xentrix’s legacy—it’s a statement that they are still a force to be reckoned with. For fans of intelligent, riff-driven thrash, this album is an absolute triumph. In seven words: Xentrix proves thrash metal is timeless brilliance.
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