RSS Feed


SQUALOR
Dark Side Of The Sun

Self-released (2026)
Rating: 8/10

This debut full-length opus is the work of a double act, namely Spaniard José Andrés Rodríguez Alonso (drums) and Spanish-based American Adam Wise (vocals, guitar and bass). Beyond the amateurish yet fun cover art, this is a a grower of a thrash experience made up of ten tracks, although opener ‘Baptism By Fire Hose’ is more of an introduction.

The album really kicks off with ‘Raptor Strike’, the longest song on the platter. It’s very much zippy thrash let down a little by the slightly thin production. Even so, there are already some nice shifts as a solo careers out of the energetic thrash zone. There’s melody, pace and the odd slip into chuggier passages, but what I really like about the record is the vocals. Dark, raspy and foreboding, the tone is more of a black thrash sneer which is somewhat contrasting to the look of the album.

Even after several spins, I’m wondering if Squalor are meant to be humorous or not, but let’s not get bogged down by such minor things. Instead, let’s sneer along to the serrated axe work from guest guitarist Michael Angelo Batio (Manowar / ex-Nitro) on ‘Tango Uniform’ and then begin to detect a slightly unorthodox shade to this unassuming beast. Odd 80s metal vibes descend via a melodic traipse and Gothic narrated vocals before more delicious leads squirm in sprightly fashion.

It’s a fact that ‘Tango Uniform’ remains my most played track from the album, but there’s so much to delve into throughout and with an air of complexity, although ‘Harsh Mistress’ begins with a hint of a tech-thrash vibe. Again, the guitar work is effective and sharp, leading us into a timely crisp chug. It’s such an accessible romp with a cosmic bend. ‘Defenestration’ is slower, scowling from its dark underbelly with the vocal scathing, but it showcases the diversity here as ‘Men, Women And Children First’ scrambles to a blackened gallop where the sneer is Bathory-ish. The drums gallop like black smouldering stallions loping through Hell’s ashen wastes.

And speaking of the fiery underworld, ‘Hell Bites’ poses a blackened theme too, the guitar work glinting with a chill before the cutting solo and black thrash torrent. ‘Intense Malaise’ scorches the turf, blistering with more shreds of axe from Michael Angelo Batio, but without jarring. Instead, there’s a mature fluidity about proceedings, Squalor weaving between scurrying passages and methodical sweeps of thrash. It really is enjoyable metal, climbing with the rawness and rage of ‘Search For The Sun’.

Squalor is a surprise package indeed, and proof that there’s more to Madrid than its football teams. At the time of writing there are no physical copies available as of yet, although a CD version is scheduled for release in December. In the meantime, nip on over to the band’s Bandcamp page for the download.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share