Doc Burner

Angelus Apatrida went from being an underground thrash curiosity with their overlooked career to being one of the most refreshing and vigilant acts from the thrash resurgence on their 2012 record The Call. That record established them as a force to be reckoned with using unrelenting energy, performances to match, and a boosted ability to write songs that never let the listener drift throughout its ten-track playlist. For the Spanish thrashers fifth record, Hidden Evolution, they continue to perfect these new found abilities and – dare I say it, improve on what I thought would have been a career defining record for them.
Hidden Evolution only really improves one thing against their last record: the hook. The band has always incorporated some hooks into their thrash metal, but with Hidden Evolution they have become top of the food chain in these regards. Vocalist Guillermo Izquierdo, in particularly, seemingly has topped himself in damn near every regard – throwing down vocals that are both innately thrashy in his harsh snarling, but quite melodic when they need to be. The choruses throughout just catch the ear. Whether it’s the harsher “Immortal” or the big sing-a-long pieces of “I Owe You Nothing,” Angelus Apatrida are incorporating them in more effective manners. Even the song writing seems to inject more hooks into their technical melodic ferocity. It makes it easier to consume without negating their already stellar musicianship.

This, or course, is built on the crushing tank of thrash that is Angelus Apatrida’s sound. The band continues to impress with their winding guitar work that’s ripe with technical showmanship in their riffing and especially in the non-stop lead work and they are not afraid to change up tempo or pacing with the Annihilator like speed of “Serpents on Parade,” the occasional groove riff on “Architects,” or the epic and progressively tinged title track closer. The unrelenting speed, the hits of diversity in the writing, and the damn near perfect production for a thrash album…yeah, Hidden Evolution is simply top notch all the way around.

So if you are a fan of the newer ‘old school’ bands that blend modern aspects with the classic thrash foundation like Havok or Evile, then Hidden Evolution is a must own kind of record. Its energetic intensity is unmatched and somehow the band is album to inflict massive hooks and some impressive technical playing prowess without ever losing the balance. Angelus Apatrida is one of the greatest thrash bands in existence right now and you are only doing yourself a disservice by not listening to Hidden Evolution. So get on that or be left obsolete. - The Metal Observer

There is one thing for sure – if one would have to pick the Spanish thrash metal band in a blink of the eye, it would be Angelus Apatrida. Rolling in the thrash metal scene since 2000, this band already has proved themselves and are definitely one of most known Spanish touring thrash metal bands. After a three year break since their last album “The Call”, these Spaniards are back with full force on their fifth full-length album “Hidden Evolution”.

"Hidden Evolution" by Angelus Apatrida (2015)“Hidden Evolution” by Angelus Apatrida (2015)
“Hidden Evolution” is almost an hour long, consisting of ten fast, yet melodic and high quality tracks. The album starts with the fast paced traditional thrash metal sound track, called “Immortal” giving a clue to the whole idea of the “Hidden Evolution”. The following tracks speak by themselves: “Architects”, “Serpents On Parade”, “Wanderers Forever”… It all gives the feeling of a really interesting, yet hidden evolution, which is really a great topic for the lyrics. Not so much about beers, fights, parties, blasphemy or religion, as is so popular for other thrash metal bands. As the band states itself – it is all about “how humans seem to easily be able to go against their own race based on various obscure interests ”. Now take a look to the album cover (by Gyula Havancsák ) – it will fill the gaps in your imagination.
“First World Of Terror” is the second track of the collection and is a very solemn one with some really attention catching guitar work as well as vocal of Guillermo Izquierdo which noticeably, really is in top shape and masterfully handled. Some songs give the feeling, that there are influences from other fellow thrashers – this could be said about the manner of the vocals, especially in chorus and some melodic bits. Hints of Megadeth’s sound is the most noticeable, the rest is the Angelus Apatrida’s interpretation of thrash metal and sociological issues, which finishes up as one neck cracking combination. Want it fast? Try “Tug Of War”. Want it melodic? Try “I Owe You Nothing” or “End Man”. Want opus number? Try title track “Hidden Evolution” – it looks like a massive job done here. The album is full of the groove, variety, fulfilled job, as there is not much one could add to what these guys made.

Reviewers pick: “End Man” – very memorable, catchy, groovy and fast track, showing what this band is capable of. Although, listen to it all. Several times at least. It is worth it.

Angelus Apatrida’s work on their fifth studio album is undoubtedly worth a place next to the thrash metal Mohican’s albums. Hidden Evolution is an amazing beginning of the new thrash metal year for the ears.

“Hidden Evolution” by Angelus Apatrida will be out on 19th of January, 2015 via Century Media. - Planet Mosh