Pripjat – Chain Reaction

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First some background on these guys. PRIPJAT is a Thrash band hailing from Colonge/Brule, North Rhine- Westphalia, and was formed in 2011. The band’s name comes from the Russian spelling of the Ukrainian ghost town created near ground zero of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. The meltdown of the Russian reactor has been described as the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. “Chain Reaction” is the band’s second full length release, and the follow-up to 2014’s “Sons Of Tschernobyl”.

Admittedly, I wasn’t won over with my first listen. The album opens with “Just A Head”, and the very first thing we hear is vocalist Kirill Gromanda’s scream in the style of SLAYER’s Tom Araya. Gromanda’s vocals throughout the album are this high pitch scream, and it took me a couple of listens to come to appreciate them for what they are. They’re consistent, and ultimately very fitting for the music the band is presenting. The band is exceptionally tight, talented players and produce very well.  This is Thrash at its absolute finest. The first single “Survival Of The Sickest” is a perfect example. From start to finish, the track is furious, fast and fantastic. No surrender, no let up, no quarter.

I enjoyed every single track on this album, and could easily envision these guys having been a part of the legendary Big Four of Thrash. In songs like, “Bowed, Yet Unbroken” and “Brick By Brick”, I hear influences of ANTHRAX and SLAYER, yet throughout I also hear melodic overtones reminiscent of MEGADETH, and the clean, furious rhythm riffs Hetfield is known for. Overall, the band is at their best when all the influences come together. “Kiev Burns” and the title track, “Chain Reaction” are perfect examples of this. For me, these were my favorite tracks, and my most listened to.

Truthfully, once I got past my initial issue with the vocals, I loved the album. It brought back great memories of the mid eighties and just hearing the Big Four for the very first time. NoiseArt Records has put out a real winner here. Those of us in the USA should hope to see these guys Stateside soon.

Songwriting: 7
Originality: 7
Memorability: 9
Production: 9