Reapter are a band playing a thrash sound that shows a respect to the past, while at the same time trying to root themselves in the modern-day thrash environment.
While I can respect their dedication and solid talent that they use to structure their songs, this whole mentality of not doing anything new is lost on me in a big way. To explain my statement, I mean to say that the band aren’t going to wow anyone with their arrangements or nod to the old school. I find this to be a big challenge, when as a music writer, I’m always looking for something new and fresh. Honouring your heroes in a musical format is ok when you do it properly; use certain nuances or riffs that might evoke memories, but make the music your own.
On “Cymatics”, the band go through nine songs with little variety or originality. Album opener “Repeat” is a driven and straight-ahead thrash attack, and if it was separate from the sound of the rest of the album, or even used as a stepping stone to something greater, I could’ve dealt with it. Second song “Tsunami” features heavier riffage than the previous song with a decent breakdown to a more mid-paced section, but I notice that there’s going to be a similar theme going with the pace of this album if this continues, which unfortunately it does.
“Life And Horror” comes off as a bit more upbeat and interesting than the rest of the songs so far on the album at this point as song number five, but it’s a matter of “too little, too late” for me. The second-last song “Fallen Angels” showcases a bit more of the prog side of the band with a few unexpected twists and turns, which admittedly throws me for a tiny bit of a surprise, but by this point I’ve pretty much checked-out of the proceedings.
If you notice a common theme in my writing thus far on this website, it’s that I’m tired of the relaxed and unoriginal nature of some bands. Without Reapter taking chances with their sound, there’s nothing that grabs me. The vocals come across as labored, and not in a good way, and the drums sound like a drum machine. The band plays well and has chops, but it’s very formulaic and bores me after almost no time. It’s a fairly pedestrian sound.
I’d say that if you were going for a newer thrash sound, look to bands that can add different flavours into the standard mix, instead of the familiar drum-bashing and fret-tapping.
Tracklist:
01. Repeat
02. Tsunami
03. Time Lapse
04. The Alchemist
05. Life And Horror
06. Behind A Mask
07. Useless
08. Fallen Angels
09. Tram Out
Playing time: 46:06
Release date: 07 October, 2016
Label: Revalve Records
Website: Official Reapter Website
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