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By GREG MAKI
Since Trivium frontman Matt Heafy recommended Sanctity to Roadrunner Records in 2005, the Asheville, N.C., quartet has shared stages with Megadeth, Lamb of God and Arch Enemy on the 2006 edition of Gigantour (handpicked by Dave Mustaine), and toured with the likes of DragonForce, Children of Bodom and Black Label Society. No pressure, then, for Sanctity’s debut, Road to Bloodshed, huh? These boys are up to the challenge, as the disc is a wonderful example of modern thrash metal.
Trivium’s producer, Jason Suecof (who also produced the best album of 2007’s first quarter, Chimaira’s Resurrection), is at the helm, which is fitting since Trivium and Sanctity could be leading a new wave of bands with strong ’80s thrash influences shaped into songs with melody and identifiable choruses. Sanctity’s singer, Jared MacEachern (who also plays guitar), employs a variety of vocal styles, including a growl that comes off as a cross between Lemmy and White Zombie-era Rob Zombie on songs like “Beneath the Machine,” “Beloved Killer” and “Seconds”; a powerful tone reminiscent of James Hetfield on standouts “Zeppo” and the title track; and a cleaner style that is less memorable but adds variety on “Brotherhood of Destruction,” “The Rift Between” and “Once Again.” He even rips out an occasional Rob Halford-like wail.
The band bangs out tight thrash metal riffs and rhythms on each song. Strings ring in the oddly titled “Billy Seals,” but there are no ballads here. Lead guitarist Zeff Childress emerges as a player to watch, while the aggressive attack of drummer Jeremy London is the glue that holds it all together. The highlight of the disc is the menacing “Seconds” (“Your life is ending seconds at a time,” MacEachern intones), which features the album’s best guitar solo. With 12 songs lasting about 45 minutes, Road to Bloodshed is an ideal serving for a debut, a satisfying listen that hints at the potential for even better things in the years to come.
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