HATRIOT
“Dawn Of The New Centurion”
Massacre Records
As if it was written in the stars; recently Steve 
‘Zetro’ Souza announced his reunion with good ol’ Exodus. Prior tot this new engagement Souza released “Dawn of the New Centurion” with his band Hatriot, consisting of father Souza and his two sons Cody (bass) and Nick (drums), alongside guitar slashers Kosta Varvatakis and Miguel Esperanza. It’s the second album from the driven quintet gripping back to the classic style of thrashy and furious metal in the vein of Bay Areas finest. It revives the spirit of The Legacy and Exodus without lacking a fresh approach.
Thus “Dawn of the New Centurion” re-opened the door to Exodus for Zetro?
I tend to think so…
Hatriot’s music bears the basic ingredients and high turbulence Exodus and Bay Area acts where credited for; the new and flashy style of metal which took the scene by storm. High pace riffing and thunderous foundations which fired up crowds in sweaty hot clubs and big festivals, sprouting young and eager bands.
Now Hatriot grips back to this sound and revives the key ingredients with panache. The band’ riffs are furious and fierce, Zetro’s typical vocals are instantly captivating. He gargles up razors as in the old days, grunts and growls in between his venomous pitches. The anger spitting from his lyrics are matching his vocal outburst just perfectly. The music is loaded and the drive is tremendous.
“My Cold Dead hands” recoups the above mentioned perfectly. It’s a live anthem for fans of the genre. Recognizable refrain over a great hook which has “Tempo of the Damned” written all over it. It opens with all guns blazing and complex and aggressive triplet riff pumping it forward. It is that spirit which makes this album a joyous journey for fans and metalheads.
Hatriot keeps delivering. Throughout the entire album we are treated numerous thrash pearls. An absolute highlight is the 7 minute storm senses in “Silence in the House of the Lord”. Thick and luscious riffs served up in large chunks, galloping drums and musical variety make this an cracker. A frenetic solo splits your skull and the tempo of the track shifts gear occasionally, making you dive into any moshpit without hesitation. A combination of Metallica and Annihilator on speed. And what to think of the brutal “World Funeral” and the blistering “Your Worst Enemy”?
“The Fear Within” is exactly what the title states. The song builds up tension with a taunting undertone and erupts with sharp guitar licks and escalating aggression. It is that what people love about thrash. And, the wink towards a classic, the funny underscore thrash tends to deliver is also present on this second Hatriot CD. “Superkillafragadisticactsaresoatrocious” which of course grips back to the musical classic “Mary Poppins”.
All-in all this is a celebration of thrash’ finest. Hatriot delivers a hell spawn classic which captured the spotlight and put Zetro back on the map, showing craftsmanship and thrive. Not renewing, nor redefining the boundaries, but injecting the classic thrash with a modern production and powerful drive it needs. So Hatriot is on the map….
And yes: thanks tot his album, Mr. Souza is reinstated as the vocalist of Exodus. Rest my case.
80 / 100
Edwin van Hoof
