Terror Garden Release A Fierce EP

A new and thrashing metal release from Terror Garden just dropped, and this record runs the gamut of the genre in many ways. You have thrash, melodic, progressive, classic, and so much more all rolled into one, complete with powerhouse riffs and guitar tone, along with vocals that are really spot-on in terms of giving a little bit of grittiness and power, but also these robust melodies that come through.

So, the EP is self-titled, and the guys certainly don't waste any time at all, hitting hard with their first track, "Supermodel Virus".

Right off the bat, you get this kind of harmonic intro riff running up and down the neck of the guitar, building some sonic presence, and then it just bursts into this massive onslaught where everything is full throttle right from the get-go.

One of the things I noticed right away is the drumming. The drummer on this record is a force of nature. He absolutely destroys and does it in a way where it feels like the rest of the band is sort of pushing off of him.

There's actually a lot about the record that almost feels like a live performance, in a sense. It seems like these guys recorded a lot of the record live on the floor, and everyone involved was just feeding off of each other's energies the entire time.

On this 1st and introduction track, you hear elements of all kinds of vivacious metal, including some classic Iron Maiden horse trotting, and during those sections in particular, you really get a feel for that bass guitar tone and how much additional drive it gives the record.

One of my favorite parts about this track is the breakdown/bridge section, which is kind of like the mosh pit half-time part, and this one hits with a blistering depth and sharpness.

You also get a killer guitar solo during this section, which is what I was kind of hoping for. They certainly delivered because the solo showcase is not just technique, but soul. There are some wailing bends, and this slight hint of delay kind of effects the guitar so that it just feels immense and sort of distanced in a way.

The whole thing is completely epic, and this is an amazing song to open the door for the rest of the record because right away, you're hearing some of the great staples that the EP holds.

Having said that, this is not an EP where you skip songs. Each song takes its own direction, there are some surprises around the corners, and the songs are like chapters in a book. You wouldn't really skip chapters in a book, so I certainly wouldn't suggest skipping songs on this release.

As the record unfolds, you start to notice many other subgenres sort of infused. Songs like "Hollow" still deliver the metal aspects but also give hints of grunge along with alternative rock in the guitar work and riffs.

The vocals on this one are probably my favorite because they're just closed-fisted, anthemic, hands-in-the-air style. Plenty of long-held out notes that never lose breath and just continue to push the song's envelope.

"Dopesick" is probably the actual anthem of the record. This is a song where you can hear certain elements of punk rock in there, including giant crew vocals during some of those choruses, chanting, and giving you this very full-bodied feel.

This is an absolute banger as well, and it's pretty catchy too.

A lot of this record has those elements of catchy hooks in terms of the choruses just being big, boisterous, and having the ability to stick in your head for hours after the songs have ended.

This is definitely a record for people who love all different walks of metal and heavy music in general.

There's basically something for everyone on this record.

Speaking of surprises around the record's corners, the closing track, "Relapse", is sort of like a little blues jam where you can just feel the soul dripping from it, and it was just mainly used to close the record out in some way, shape, or form.

It's a quick one, but I really liked how they just went in this direction to close the record.

Now, if you are previously unfamiliar with the band, then you should also dive into their record released in 2023, Psychotic Disorderly Magick, as that is another amazing record, along with others.

They've been around for a while, and you can really hear their evolution as a band by listening through their back catalog.

Most certainly start with the new self-titled Terror Garden record, though.

It's a release that was built with no boundaries around it and just this fiery and fierce approach that showcases the band's many influences, but also their love for the craft.

So, take a deep dive into this one and turn it up because that's how it was meant to be heard.

Don't forget where you heard this first.

BANDCAMP

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

SPOTIFY