Thrash has a certain feel that, when it’s done right, hits you in the mid-section like no other form of metal. It’s the style that truly introduced brutality in large quantities to heavy metal, soon to be obscured by death and black metal and their savagery. While thrash may not be an endangered species, the style trails death and black in remaining a true force.

Scottish destroyers Tyrannus carry thrash metal like they were there in the early 1980s, forming the sound alongside the greats. Their ferocious second record “Mournhold” is a motherfucker, tearing limb from limb as they blaze through seven tracks and 40 minutes, absolutely crushing and leaving nothing but bones behind. They add some different elements to the pot this time, bringing gloomier tidings and some death notes that the band—recording lineup is vocalist/guitarist Callum John Cant, guitarist/vocalist Richard Codling, bassist/guitarist/vocalist Alistair Harley, keyboard/synth player Scott McLean, drummer/backing vocalist Alasdair Dunn—nails with electricity and bloody heart, making this a record that ravages and demands your return.

“Violent Inheritance” begins bludgeoning, fiery and violent pressure releasing fumes, the howls crushing. The pace continues storming before things go cold, the fog thickening, thunderous ferocity compounding as Cant wails, “Wake up!” “Orbus non sufficit” is murky before taking off, the melodies tidal waving as momentum builds, Cant lashing, “Where is your conscience?” The storm refuses to relent, clean notes bleeding through carnage, chants bellowing, the tempo shaking your bones. “Seize the Stars” is fiercely intense, galloping and attacking, the howls brawling as the leads liquify and scorch flesh. The playing pulls back a bit before reigniting the assault, Cant wailing the title, the devastation rocketing into the cosmos.

“Flesh Eternal” has the bass driving, post-punk sounds blackening, the cloudy singing sending chills down your spine. The playing mashes as the guitar glazes, fumes gather, and everything gradually fades into the sky. “Reignfall” delivers some meaty thrash, akin to heyday Metallica, and Cant’s words raid, the speed consuming, the simple chorus arresting. Things fire up as the soloing explodes, a sinister darkness following, absolutely laying waste. If your blood isn’t pumping, go to the hospital. The title track boils over, forceful carnage trampling, the growls creaking, start/stop chugs mauling, the leads jolting through veins. Neon soloing tingles as the pace hammers again, spilling into a strange, intoxicating heat. Closer “Back to Grey” fires up and batters, scuffing up the glorious leads, howls punching as things turn even thrashier. An exciting jolt mangles as things turn colder, moodier, chills rippling flesh. Things drive anew, the tempo savaging, fluid power electrifying your brain, the power bleeding away.

Tyrannus come at you with classic, destructive thrash on “Mournhold,” a record that should excite listeners, even the ones all the way back from the subgenre’s formative years. They blend plenty of other influences, and even take you into unexplored darker territories, making their punch even heftier. This band continues to build their foundation on this second record, and they’re on fire here, coming into their true form and leaving trails of ash behind them along the way.

For more on the band, go here: https://tyrannus.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://truecultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mournhold

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