BLACK APRIL – Lunatics review

 BLACK APRIL – Lunatics

Demo 2014

http://ali3ni.wix.com/blackaprilthrash

BLACK APRIL is a band that was formed in 2013 in the U.S.A. by Sean Kratz (BENIGHTEN EMPIRE, LUCIAN THE WOLFBEARER, ex EVISCARATED ) , Josh Nally, Nathan Karns (BENIGHTEN EMPIRE, ex EVISCARATED) and Max Zotti. So as you can see we are talking about a new band, but most of its members have quite an experience in the heavy metal scene.

THE COVER: The cover of the demo seems to be an actual picture from the First World War era (I think) which shows kids wearing gas masks (I think it was the first war that the chemicals were used). It is really a disturbing image and yet it fits perfectly to a release that carries the title “Lunatics” and of course to the sound of the band. So, yes in a way that I can’t explain, I liked the cover.

MUSICAL STYLE: If you know the other bands that some of the members of BLACK APRIL are playing in then I think that you will know what to expect here. Yes, BLACK APRIL is an old school band and they are moving somewhere between the early black metal and dirty thrash metal sound. Their influences mostly come from groups like CELTIC FROST, HELLHAMMER, early BATHORY and of course SLAYER. 

COMPOSITIONS: The demo release includes 3 compositions from which the one with the title “Gravedigger” is a live recording. The songs here, at least the ones with the titles “Archwing” and “Balls Deep” are moving on mid tempo speeds and they have some outbursts. Also in “Balls Deep” they have a traditional heavy metal passage somewhere in the middle of the song and I think this makes it their most complete and interesting composition included here. The fast one is the live recording I have mentioned above.

CONCLUSION: The fans of old school blackened thrash metal will enjoy BLACK APRIL who really manage to capture the grim, dark and menacing atmosphere that this sound needs. So, yes the fans of the sound should check them out.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis