Iexpected a lot after Ilistened to HATRIOT`s debut album “Heroes of Origin” back in 2013. The stuff made me have great expectations. Well, once you start you can’t stop…just a year after the debut album “Dawn of the New Centurion,” you can hear how the band has progressed.
Sincetheir debut, the band has been working a lot in order to improve their uniqueness, and to get rid of their EXODUS influences that are certainly present on their album. Theseinfluences include not only the characteristic vocal of Steve “Zetro” Souza, but also the music itself, which is heavily influenced by EXODUS.
Although slightly influenced by others, this stuff still sounds fresh. Well, maybe this is because HATRIOT consists of young people who, under a watchful eye of the experienced musician, create the music that comes from the clash of what is new with what is old. It is worth mentioning that this is Steve “Zetro” Souza and his two sons who play in this band. it does mean a lot!
All in all, but these youngsters have been growing up while being exposed to this kind of music so, intentionally or not, they have become suffused with this, and this pays off now. The stuff itself is pretty complex, there is a lot going on here. Plenty of tempo changes, solo guitar parts are totally enjoyable. This stuff is really mature when it comes to arrangements, and all`d be perfect but for the trigger pedals. Yes, they sound artificial, but aren’t that bad as they`re in the case of RUNNING WILD “resilient.” where the drummingis just piss poor.
There are many powerful fragments on “Dawn of the New Centurion”, the fact that songs are complex and “rich” doesn’t bore a listener. It’s a piece of fucking awesome thrash metal of highest quality. I hope that the fact that Steve has rejoined EXODUS won’t stop HATRIOT from playing, and we`ll be able to listen to new records of this amazing band. If you have the Japanese version of this album, there are two bonus tracks:“Midnight Maniac” (KROKUS cover) and the demo version of “The Fear Within.”
LWS