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TRANKVILLUS
Fake New World EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 6/10

It’s not often I get to promote the Indian underground so I was quite pleased to come across this new EP from Bangalore trio Trankvillus, who consist of Promoad (vocals and bass), Vaisakh (guitar) and Hemanth Vinod (drums). Although the band has been around since 2015 this is their first actual effort, apart from a digital single earlier this year.

Dressed in old school artwork, Trankvillus plays solid thrash metal with choppy vocals and razor-sharp riffs. Four tracks are offered – ‘Prisoner Within’, ‘Fake New World’, ‘Sins… Redemption’ and ‘Civilization Fail’ – which are all solid, reliable and energetic numbers offering some good mid-tempo crunch, steady melodies, dashes of killer mid-80s aggression and of course pace. So basically you’re getting everything you’d expect from a thrash record, which also boasts crossover slants and a good, clear mix courtesy of Aempyrean guitarist Clinton Selvam.

The EP has a nifty air about it. Some may crave more weight as at times the music feels a touch tepid alongside the punchier vocals, but there are some good solos and above all, infectious, catchy dynamics. Trankvillus opts for simplicity, but at times the sound nods towards, say, US thrashers Devastation or Evildead, but less concise or lethal. Even so, it’s still a stable thrash assault from a band I look forward to hearing more about.

Neil Arnold

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