Centaurus - The Regime ★★★★★

MELODIC THRASH METAL | MAY 2025 INSTAGRAM | METAL-ARCHIVES       FOR FANS OF: TESTAMENT, MEGADETH, DEATH ANGEL, KREATOR

    THRASH-O-METER

★★★★★★★★☆☆ SONGWRITING

★★★★★★★★☆☆ THEMES

★★★★★★★★☆☆ LONGEVITY

★★★★★★★☆☆☆ PRODUCTION

★★★★★★★★★☆ THRASHABILITY

                       SCORE:                      

★★★★★ THE REAL SH!T

At the ripened age of 17, these fellas from Canada released their first track, 'Injustice is Served'. What did you do at the age of 17?

Fast-forward few years and we have an album - and what an album it is!

Striving to rise above the realm of mere thrashing and instead crafting actual songs: cohesive, structural, with identity and honest-to-Lucifer compositions, is a move that always, always deserves a hearty fist bump. Such ambition with a debut by fresh musicians tends to steer things in one of two directions: either into a spectacular trainwreck of overreach, or, command the listener into a full stop on their tracks - The Regime pulls into the latter station.

After a sharp title track opening, 'Beyond the Grave' channels some good old Testament-grade stoicism - the kind that lands like a well-placed fist to the face. With 'The Aftermath' the band surprises you with an epic, balladesque piece that starts slow, building its stomp, and finishes with gallopy harmonics à la Iron Maiden.

Band photo presumably taken in Ontario, CAN

When you think sh!t can't possibly become any better than what you're hearin', they burst into melody and guitar shenanigans that make you want to close your eyes to take it all in, or dare you to start thrashin'. Centaurus skillfully weave in familiar nods to the thrash metal greats without sounding derivative, decidedly going with a tone of their own.

Centaurus represents a very different style when you look at other modern and active new thrash metal bands, and what most are about - these fellas are full on classic thrash metal where songwriting takes priority to maniacal tumult.

From the Shadows of the Giants

The band approaches themes like self-doubt, ill-fated paths, and frustration of societal conformity through a lens unmistakably shaped by the band's youth. It's a honest sincerity that comes off lamentatious, and perhaps its just as telling about the times our youth live in.

Tempered with bittersweet melodies, the album conveys that (maybe) not everything is hopeless. Not exactly the approach you'd come to expect in thrash metal with its usually violent critique and angry commentary of the world around us - and, that's damn refreshing.

A consistent, emotional undercurrent runs through The Regime, with Centaurus navigating on a distinct melancholic ripple that sets them apart. Much of this atmosphere is anchored by guitarist/vocalist Luis Magay, whose charismatic voice and delivery maintains an even moodiness throughout. Makes me think about one of my absolute favourite vocalists of all time: Dave Mustaine - you tend to either love or hate his voice. Its the same deal here.

The Regime has definite inclinations towards progressive maneuvering, but just as things begin to verge on nonsensical gimmickery, they reel in with a timed chorus and a sense for structure, snapping the song back into focus. This sh!t is technical at many arrangements and their style does indeed remind me a great deal of Megadeth.

The telltale signs of an independent release do weigh The Regime. The sound of the album is absolutely passable, but lacks the finer points as it becomes rather painfully disproportionate at higher volumes - and, let's be honest, its how thrash metal should be played, eh?

Frankly, the band's tone may catch traditional thrash fans off guard as they balance between mood and momentum. Don't get me wrong, this is thrash metal - with a twist. When you get over that, you come to the realization that the songwriting throughout the album is consistently solid and genuinely impressive. Finding sh!t like Centaurus is the reason why I trudge through dozens of new bands and albums every month.

The Real Sh!t