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SURGICAL STRIKE
24/7 Hate
2024 Metalville

German thrash merchants SURGICAL STRIKE will release their new album, 24/7 Hate on March 1st through Metalville Records. Previously, the band released an EP (V-II-XII) in 2016, and their full-length debut album (Part Of A Sick World) in 2020. The band consists of: Jens "Stopsel" Albert (vocals), Marcelo Vasquez Rocha (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Frank Ruhnke (lead guitar), Florian Seybecke (bass, backing vocals), and Joshua Jo (drums).

SURGICAL STRIKE has continued with their themes of socio-political topics and human nature commentary, with plenty of venom in the lyric department. Vocalist Jens Albert has the perfect bark for the band's sound, which reminds me a little of Steve Souza (EXODUS) meets Mille Petrozza (KREATOR). Musically, there's relentless riffing, double bass drumming, and plenty of references to thrash gods such as EXODUS, KREATOR, NEVERMORE, MEGADETH, and SODOM that will keep fans coming back for repeat listens. Nothing wrong with that, as I am a fan of all those bands. SURGICAL STRIKE keeps the tempo fast, doling out the metallic thrash metal at break-neck speeds.

The album opens with the perfect two-minute somber instrumental "Initium", and erupts into the ripping title track, "24/7 Hate", which I think is a track potential fans should take a close listen to. With fantastic riffs, awesome double bass drumming, and shout-along choruses, this is a great way to start the album. "Fear Monger" follows, with a similar aggressiveness and cadence. "The Lesson" will pummel you into submission; check out the solo section of this track. "Discover The Evil" is another solid song, while "Lonely Decision" has some cool riffage going on in the verses and interesting breaks after the choruses. An acoustic intro (a thrash staple) segues the blistering "Alienated", which features another great chorus. "Rose War" goes to another level, with some lethal extreme vocals from Jens. "Circle Jerk" wastes no time jerking around, that's for sure. This is the most concise song here, lunging headway into speed metal velocity right out of the gate. "Sorrow of War II" appears as track number 10, the same as part one did on the Part of A Sick World album. I think that this sequel smokes the first version. The final track is "Blinder", which is a solid closer for this album.

24/7 Hate sounds fresh and inspired, and is a fantastic sophomore effort from SURGICAL STRIKE. I really dig this album. The production is phenomenal -- and a vast improvement over the debut. Crank this up in your car or on headphones -- it sounds great! I love the killer cover artwork as well, which was once again provided by the talented Timon Kokott. I can see influences from TOXIK's Think This and RIOT's The Privilege of Power in this artwork. 24/7 Hate will be released digitally, and on CD and vinyl. Thrash fans need to check this album out!

4.5 Out Of 5.0