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CENTAURUS
The Regime

Self-released (2025)
Rating: 7/10

Centaurus is a young thrash metal trio from Toronto in Canada who arrived on the scene in 2021 with their debut EP Injustice Is Served. It’s nice to see the guys back again, although I expected another EP rather than a full-length release. I’m not complaining though, because this is a good little record that is streaked with a mix of San Francisco Bay Area and British thrash vibes.

The Regime is a strangely warm offering, bustling with a melodic slant where infectious riffs make instant impact. The production here is somewhat low key but it works, giving the album a feel of around 1986. The title track starts the album after a short introduction (‘High Honour’) and I’m already reminded of the simple yet effective styles of thrash from my teenage years.

Vocalist Luis Magay, who also brings the riffs, has a no nonsense style, but what I really like about him is that he doesn’t resort to any annoying rasps or snaps which seem to litter today’s thrash records. Instead, Magay pretty much uses his actual voice in the same way Chuck Billy did on those classic early Testament records.

There is nothing flashy going on here, the solos are tidy and the drums of Eric Medina are solid and punchy, as is the bass of Daniel Webb. However, Centaurus expresses a real maturity throughout, constructing some incredibly catchy songs. A big favourite is ‘Beneath The Sands Of Time’ which begins with a more traditional metal gallop before cruising into a vintage Metallica groove and stunning us with a sublime chorus. ‘Beyond The Grave’ is a touch more aggressive and yet the guys still manage to hook you in to a killer and smoothly crafted chorus.

To an extent, and due to their sincere nod to the 80s scene, Centaurus is somewhat out of time. Had this opus been released in the 80s it might have slotted into the second division of the thrash genre, comfortably rubbing shoulders with numerous UK acts like Slammer. In today’s climate The Regime, even with all the metal throwbacks around, still seems out of place and low key, muddied further by the odd and dense production.

There are still some fine examples of solid thrash here, and serious thrash at that. A grey mood hangs over this platter as the seven minute plod of ‘The Aftermath’ takes us into 1986 Metallica territory, brooding and aching with every emotional chug and yearning vocal. ‘Fragments Of A Fraud’ is similarly shaded, operating under a canopy of pallid clouds even with its slightly busier treads.

For the most part, Centuarus exists in a mid-tempo zone, although even the hastier segments seem rounded, or possibly blunted, but that’s the charm of this debut album. ‘Injustice Is Served’ sounds restrained but comfortably so as Magay churns the riffs and reaches deeper into his chest cavity to puke out those humourless lyrics. Magay is capable of more though as showcased on the melodic and lofty ‘Descension’ which is dragged into the present, or the very least the early 00s with its cleaner yet traditional setting and cleaner vocal.

Just after one listen I was made to feel welcomed by Centaurus, and while the cover art is less inviting, I quickly found myself rifling through my records trying to remember who these guys sound like. Alas, it was to no avail, but now I’m on my umpteenth spin of The Regime and I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re a sucker for 80s melodic thrash.

Neil Arnold

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