Centaurus-A

German death-thrashers Centaurus-A show a lot of promise with their debut full-length release, Side Effects Expected. The band's style is a combination of death metal and thrash but the technicality of the guitar work is definitely what makes this album shine. The guitarists play classic chugging thrash riffs yet many of the tracks include very melodic interludes and solos. The effort's first tune, "The Praying Mantis," is its heaviest, while "Morning Tremble" has more of a melodic death metal feel, highlighting harmonic proficiency. "Arson" lives up to its title, on fire with strong, crunching guitar riffs and ominous vocals. The industrial feel and technical solos in "Selfmade Cage" are offset by the whiplash thrash riffage. Side Effects Expected also contains much of the genre's usual brazen death vocals and fast blast beat drumming, but with very catchy melodies. Although the band's sound has been already been done by a million others, Centaurus-A have managed to release a solid debut effort.