Who’s been hammering out the thrash for over decade now but has barely made a dent internationally in any relevant way? Ireland’s own Gama Bomb. Their new release “The Terror Tapes” on AFM Records should be a giant step in remedying that situation.
This is their fourth album and bears all the hallmarks of classic Gama Bomb. This is the follow up to 2009’s “Tales From The Grave in Space”. They don’t call these guys metal’s Kings of Geek for nothing. That’s not a bad thing as they eschew acoustic intros and ballads. There’s no ballads in thrash!!
The new one is available as a CD and also in a limited edition vinyl pressing. Once again classic thrash mentality.
So what about the tunes? Good thrashin’ question. We are talking about old school 3 to 4 minute in out and done thrash songs.
It kicks right off with “The Wrong Stuff” a great straight ahead thrasher about not being able to handle your high because you took the wrong stuff. That one followed with “The Legend of Speed” with a timeless topic in metal…speed. Of course Gama Bomb flies the geek flag by also referencing a wee bit of science in here too. The great tracks just continue on without letting up. Are you getting the idea these guys sing about that which they know (a fair bit of partying) coupled with a bit of sic fi. There’s something to be said about thrash done with good intentions and no pretensions and Gama Bomb pulls it off in a spectacular way. I enjoyed pretty much everything on this disc.
Of course it ain’t FoM unless we take a look at the packaging too. The cover by Graham Humphreys looks damn cool doesn’t it? I haven’t seen it in full 12×12 format but it must look even better that way. There’s a full booklet too. The layout is really well done and conns the “tape” theme throughout. It reminded me of some old stereo manual from the 70’s. So definitely a win for the packaging too.
So what’s the verdict? I’m giving this one an easy 8 out of 10. Fave track is a toss up between the 2:20 attack of “Metal Idiot” and track 3 “Backwards Bible”
Stay tuned to FoM as we intend to have these guys on sometime in the very near future.
If you want to catch these guys live in the states you are in some serious luck they just finished some dates in Europe and they will soon be on the attack here.
Here’s the rundown
Gama Bomb US Tour
W 8/21 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick
Th 8/22 Los Angeles, CA The Vex
F 8/23 Modesto, CA Fat Cats Music Hall
S 8/24 Oakland, CA Oakland Metro
Su 8/25 Portland, OR Dante’s
M 8/26 Seattle, WA El Corazon
T 8/27 Vancouver, BC $800
W 8/28 Spokane, WA The Hooe
F 8/30 Denver, CO
S 8/31 Oklahoma City, OK
Su 9/1 Dallas, TX The Boiler
T 9/3 Columbus, OH Shrunken Head
W 9/4 Chicago, IL Reggies Live
Th 9/5 Lansing, MI Uli’s Haus of Rock
F 9/6 Toronto, ON The Rock Pile
S 9/7 Westland, MI Token Lounge
T 9/10 New Castle, PA Chances Nite Club
W 9/11 Buffalo, NY Forvm
Th 9/12 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus Bar
F 9/13 North Hampton, PA The Gin Mill Bar and Grille
S 9/14 Amityville, NY The Revolution
Joe McGuigan – Bass/Vocals
Philly Byrne – Vocals
Domo Dixon – Lead Guitar
Paul Caffery – Drums
John Roche – Guitar
