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AMKEN
Passive Aggression

Massacre (2022)
Rating: 7/10

There’s an interesting duel-vocal dynamic displayed with Greek thrashers Amken, a band that is now on its second full-length album. Considering how much derivative thrash metal there is doing the rounds, Passive Aggression is a very good, scathing album that really forces itself upon you with its clinical approach. In its more melodic moments one can hear a Kreator influence, but for the most part Amken bring a very fast assault, particularly on a track such as ‘The Li(f)e We Lead’ where the double vocal layers bring a snappiness in tandem with rougher, throatier menace.

This album really surprises me though, it is technically efficient, energetic, and not prone to merely aping the glory years. So when you hear tracks such as the title cut or the groove-based ‘I Am The One’ you feel part of the song, and with the latter song there is a real depth with those deeper vocal rasps as they bark “I am the sun, I am the moon” to a healthy riff and stabbing drum attack. The sound is crystal yet evokes flurries of classic Sepultura, whereas maturity is expressed on a track such as ‘Dead Man’s Land’ with its Bay Area menace and hardened core of searing melody.

I really like these guys, because although the influences are clear there’s an identity to Greek thrash metal and the serious nature of it all brings a grey haze over proceedings, suggesting Amken are professional and want to evolve, and they certainly have since 2017’s Theater Of The Absurd which had a more of a punkier, crossover edge. Give this one a go, because you won’t be disappointed if you like serious, sniping thrash.

Neil Arnold

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