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Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain

About.com Rating 3.5

By Chad Bowar, About.com

Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain

Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain

Earache Records
The new wave of thrash metal isn't confined to the Bay Area or even the United States. They're thrashing in Europe as well, and Gama Bomb is carrying the flag for the new wave of Irish thrash metal. They self-released an album a couple of years ago and built a solid fan base. They were signed to Earache Records, and their proper debut is now unleashed on the world.

Citizen Brain blasts off from the first note and never lets up. Gama Bomb tears through 15 tracks in under 40 minutes. Their style of thrash is fast and raw with a crossover vibe. It's old school, paying homage to groups like Nuclear Assault, Kreator and Sodom. Guitarists Luke Graham and Domo Dixon play riffs at lightning speed, and do plenty of soloing, both in brief bursts and more traditional extended sections.

Gama Bomb doesn't take themselves too seriously, which is reflected in their lyrics. They love zombies, and two of the song titles have zombie in the title. Other topics covered include sci-fi, horror and video games (there's a song called "Space Invaders"). Vocalist Philly Byrne delivers those lyrics in a spoken word hardcore style, but he has a falsetto that he belts out periodically that sets him apart from the usual thrash vocalist.

Fans of old school thrash and crossover should really enjoy Citizen Brain. It's a very well done CD with good musicianship and songwriting, but these blokes also know how to have fun, and that's reflected here as well.

(released June 24, 2008 on Earache Records)

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