Black metal and thrash are two things that don’t seem like they belong together. Black metal was born deadly serious, ready to ravage churches with fire, actually paying off with violent crime. Also, assholes. Thrash, on the other hand, certainly had its devious tendencies, but it always seemed a little more fun, something that you can turn off your brain and allow to ravage you. Also, fewer assholes. But not none!

Anyway, whoever had the idea to fuse thrash with black metal probably did it by chance, and we’ve had plenty of bands try their hand at it with mixed results. One of the deadlier bands that have made that their formula is Indianapolis machine GraveRipper, who have followed up their promising smaller releases with their awesome debut full-length “Seasons Dreaming Death.” Over 10 tracks and an economical 33 minutes, the band—vocalist/guitarist Corey Parks, guitarist Keegan Hrybyk, bassist Chris Pilotte, drummer Jacob Lett—totally lays waste to anyone who encounters this firebreather of an album. It’s a thrash record, for sure, and the black metal seasoning acts as a way to make things bloodier and sharper, adding ominous melodies to a base that’s packed with firepower.

“Into the Grave” dawns by taking aim immediately, thrashing with vicious intent, Parks’ screamy howls digging right into your spine. The energy is off the charts, throwing punches, chugging with smoking horrors, the leads going off to nail down the snarling end. “Ripped and Torn Apart” launches with a nasty swagger, the vocals smashing with no mercy and a great surge turning sharply into ominous terrain. A black metal-style haze hangs overhead as the band keeps crushing wills, taking a calculated approach to removing your head. “Divine Incantations” hovers before exploding, the speed taking off and accompanied by savage guitar work. The playing encircles while the melodies spill over, blasting with colorful assaults, spiraling fast and ripping into the earth. The title cut tears open, gruff but melodic howls gripping throats, the mangling pace chugging with chaos. The leads get warmer, which tricks you into comfort, and then everything explodes again and ends in blood. “Premeditated” adds merciless pressure, scathing vocals scraping flesh from bone, the drums destroying everything in its path. Melodies well as blackened glory builds, plastering with ferocity and melting into lava.

“Influx of Fear” unloads spiraling guitars that blister and a raging attack that challenges your sanity. The thrashy impulses return, this time gnarlier, the leads take off for the sun, and the stampeding pushes back and buries you in rubble. “Resist Against the Light” opens with techy guitars that are smart but also bloody, and things start to feel like vintage Megadeth. Nasty howls barrel through as the guitars buzzsaw, the power pummels, and thick basslines ram through like a train, blasting out with electric terror. “Red Skies” lets riffs erupt and take over, raw howls scathing, and the band letting more of a punk feel flex its muscles. The guitars spurt colors, igniting and lathering, rounding the final minutes with a punishing push that powders bones. “And I Curse Reality” blasts from the gates, and the guitar work easily scorches, teasing and then delivering pain. The melodies grow humid and sticky, the propulsive pace makes your heart work overtime, and the end is smothering and sudden. “Only Coldness” closes the record and starts by going for infectious tones, beastly howls pummeling and fires licking the walls. The guitars explode and leave spatter and bone, the playing hits a boil before rupturing again, and a last explosion lands the final blows, leaving nothing but ashes behind.

GraveRipper’s combo of aggressive thrash and black metal majesty make their style of carnage deadlier than most, which can be witnessed in full on “Seasons Dreaming Death.” The lines teetering between the living and the dead that the band details on this pounder of a record makes it not only chilling but perversely exciting, making it perfect musical fodder for the oncoming haunting season. Or you can push the terrors aside and just thrash your brains out, whatever works for you. Either way, this is a great slab of blackened thrash that feels deadly and true, something we’ll revisit often.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/graveripperofficial

To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://wisebloodrecords.8merch.us/

Or here (International): https://wisebloodrecords.8merch.com/

For more on the label, go here: https://wisebloodrecords.com/