SWEDEN’S Tyranex are often referred to as “Old School Trash”, but it’s my opinion on their latest release “Reasons For The Slaughter” they’re moving more into a Progressive direction. While still maintaining the traditional Trash elements, they’re going in some places I havn’t heard before.
Frontwoman Linnea Landstedt adds a new dimension to the Thrash genre, we hear women all the time in other Metal genres, not so often in Thrash. She has crazy aggression, but also a great sense of melody and a wicked high range. The song “Full Circle” actually has a great hook, granted it’s surround by blistering Metal, but that’s what makes it sound even cooler.
Thrash isn’t always about pure speed either, “Megalomania” is more midtempo, like something you might hear on a METAL CHURCH album. Granted, most of the album IS in fact at break neck speed, I appreciate the fact they mix it up and offer up some diversity.
They venture more into a Speed/Power Metal style on the title track at times with Landstedt shattering glass with her vocals. The song is an absolute epic Metal track regardless of the genre you put it in.
“Pyromaniac” is just straight up Trash with the gang vocals shouting, mostly likely one of the more fun live song… if a song about starting fires can be fun… oh wait, yes it can be.
“Do Or Die” convinces me we need more women in Thrash Metal, I love what Landstedt does here. You’re not supposed to stereotype anymore supposedly but screw that I’ll say it. Women generally have a better grasp on melody and she really adds some nice elements to the music. And yes, Thrash Metal CAN and SHOULD have melody too, I’ll argue that til’ my dying day.
The album wraps up with another epic Metal song “Wipe Out”. It’s more about story-telling and progressive time changes. It really shows off the incredible talent and how super-tight this band is.
I’m giving this one 8.5 out of 10 “Flaming Fists”. The production and mix are superb, as I have mentioned already, the band is phenomenal and lead singer Linnea Landstedt gives an outstanding performance. I’ll put this band up again anything else out there, they’re hammering on cylinders.
TRYANEX ON BANDCAMP
Formed in 2005, TYRANEX is a powerful and energetic metal band from Sweden who take their influences from the golden era of 1980’s thrash. TYRANEX are true, old school thrash/speed metal with attitude, drawing equally from both the European and American scenes of the time.
With intense riffs and powerful female lead vocals, provided by acclaimed frontwoman Linnea Landstedt, the band are both classic and yet individual in style.
Their debut album “Extermination Has Begun” was released in 2011 and led to international recognition with gigs being played around Europe. The follow-up “Unable to tame” was released in 2014 and set the bar higher. 2017 saw the release of “Death Roll”. This was wilder and more intense than before, but with more developed vocals and songwriting.
TYRANEX toured until the pandemic broke out and during this time the band established themselves in Gothenburg (SWE) with a new line-up.
After the new start, TYRANEX worked on songwriting for their fourth album “Reasons For The Slaughter” (2023), which is the most elaborate and meticulous work the band has produced so far. Musically and production-wise, this is a highlight of TYRANEX’s career and the journey continues.
During the years of their existence, TYRANEX has toured in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and France. They’ve also played at major metal festivals such as Metal Assault, Jalometalli, Steelfest, Taunus metal and the Gefle Metal Festival.
TYRANEX now consists of Linnea Landstedt (guitars and vocals), Will Tomao (guitars), Martin Petersson (bass) and Pontus Pettersson-Gull (drums).
