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COROTTED
Realm Of Insanity

Basement Critter Recordings (2025)
Rating: 7/10

Realm Of Insanity is the second full-length from Pennsylvanian thrashers Corotted. It comes after last year’s debut album Kill For Die For, which I somehow missed. However, finding this new offering has been one of the most rewarding experiences of the year, and it’s not often I say that about a modern thrash release.

Corotted bring riffs that I’ve not heard since the 80s; this is a genuinely cool slice of throwback metal that is a joy when compared to the glut of over-produced stuff doing the rounds. Admittedly, if this had been released in the late 80s it might’ve been considered generic. There’s a gritty, dense UK thrash vibe going on here; think Slammer who were influenced by the US scene, in particular the San Francisco Bay Area sound.

It would be argued that nothing really stands out, but Corotted boast a consistency and smoothness with their songs and that results in a rather comforting finish instead of an uninviting gloss. The vocals of bassist Alexei Armusik have that James Hetfield (Metallica) bark, the words punch through the hefty Exhorder-styled grooves, especially on the steady motions of ‘Devastation’.

This really is unassuming thrash, the kind of indie release I might’ve picked up with spare change in the 80s knowing full well that it would be standard yet reliable fare. Much of what is offered here is mid-paced, but even when the spice kicks in (‘Time Is Ticking’) there’s still a robust accessibility.

The title track, among several others, provides chugs of comfort on similar fashion, although obviously less class than vintage Metallica. The riffs are tight yet boast a warming nature. ‘Lethal Injection’ begins with a certain level of doominess, but again there’s that Metallica-style of mid-tempo coolness to liaise with.

I don’t think the Corotted lads will appreciate me saying that Realm Of Insanity is a “nice” thrash record, but it’s actually a compliment to the unfaltering and unhurried musicality on show. The waft of nostalgia permeates the air here and it actually benefits Corotted. This is about as solid as thrash gets – nothing more and nothing less.

Neil Arnold

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