EP review: THORNS – Ready to Strike

August 16th, 2026 by jason

These Go To Eleven Records [Release date 26.08.26]

Thorns. Thrash. They sound like ‘Tallica. More accurately ‘Kill ‘em All era ‘Tallica. Hetfield vocals, Lars drum sound, Kirk soloing from…all over . Yes, they sound like ‘Tallica”…..EXCEPT…..don’t be so lazy! Thorns have loads more going for them than that. Yes, there’s main elements of – I won’t go on – but this is pretty exciting, energetic, old school thrash. Think Overkill guitars, ‘Bonded By Blood’ era Exodus, even think Twisted Sister- proper Twisted Sister, not the comic book sideshow, but the mean, angry new Yorkers they started out as. Thorns, despite the influences have a real enthusiasm about them, and also some damn fine melodies.

Opening track ‘Bad Business’ just jumps straight into that ’80′s thrash groove, swiftly followed by two more (‘Muzzle’ and ‘Headcase’) that are just unapologetically high boot, tuck in jean, let’s go back to the beginning of this movement and have some fun. The final song ‘Sickfit’ (which was also the title of their debut album from 198- sorry, I mean 2024) is more of a moody epic, and sounds like it was recorded in a fug of smoke way past bedtime.

The sound of this young – as in REALLY young, they are so much more fresh faced than their influences would have you believe – Ohio based band playing what they want, and the sheer energy they have, is infectious. Once you’re over the obvious, you ’80′s thrashers are going to have some real fun with this band. And I just LOVE the name of their record company! Now where’s that bullet belt…? ****

Review by Chris Collingwood
@collingwood2112

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