Meditations in Wrath (Self-Released)

Coming out of straight out of Brooklyn, New York (where every band seems to be from these days) is a recent entry into the scene in ALEKHINE’S GUN. Not mere newbies, most of the band are veterans from other groups in the crowded, but deep NYC metal and hardcore scene. Put together like a mix of chemicals in a mad scientists’ laboratory, the sound of the band is uncompromising, brutal and seriously pissed the hell off. Having now conquered the five boroughs through their explosive live gigs, they are looking to break out beyond their hometown with their new EP, Meditations in Wrath.

Starting off with the dissonant first notes of “Gutwrench” the band serves notice that they are not your typical skinny jeans wearing, weepy hair-don’t having prospects that a lot of Brooklyn bands seem to be right now. A torrent of machine -gun riffs and marching double-kick drums give way to pure sonic mayhem. Their sound can be best described as an amalgam of blackened death metal (think BEHEMOTH), Thrash and a few nods to New York Hardcore. All of this is topped off by the sick growls of front-woman supreme Jessica Pimentel (EVERYBODY GETS HURT/NEW FAITH/STEP 2 FAR). No shrinking violet, Pimentel’s vocal prowess is impressive as she runs the gamut of styles of guttural bellows to anguished high range screams. She compares favorably to ANGELA GOSSOW of ARCH ENEMY fame. Guitarists Jeff Martinez (DESOLATE)  rains down waves riffs on the listener. Instead of just mashing a bunch of random parts together, the songs sound really well thought out with purposeful, dramatic changes. “Vengeance (Palden Lhamo)” sounds like the grandchild of SLAYER and early SEPULTURA, with its fast riffs and beats. The song is killer and shifts back and forth between death metal chord progressions and a mid-tempo grooves. Drummer Angel Cotte (EYES OF THE SUN/IMMORTAL FLESH) is just over the top with his blastbeats and kick work. Bassist Dan Martinez (KING HELL) is solid. If the band has a hit track, it is “Bardo”. Starting with a slight old-school punk beat, that quickly gives way to more pummeling thrash. The title track comes last and it is another face melter. Just total musical annihilation, especially the mid-song mosh part (not an actual breakdown) that is one part PANTERA and two parts total evil. I will be following their career with great interest and looking out for a full length in the future.

(Special thanks to Max R. Sequeira Photography.)

GRADE: A

Keith (Keefy) Chachkes