Eradicator - The Paradox ★★★☆☆
Celebrating their 20th year of thrashing the German machine steps on the gas with a very topical message about the societal and personal crises we're enjoying globally these days.
BUT DOES IT THRASH?-O-METER
★★★☆☆ SONGWRITING
★★★☆☆ MUSICIANSHIP
★★☆☆☆ LONGEVITY
★★★★☆ TOPICALITY
★★★☆☆ PRODUCTION
Standing in line with the other teutonics has its advantages and drawbacks.
In many ways The Paradox is a perfect representation of the modern, let's say moulded Thrash Metal: it is powerful sonically, well-informed thematically, and certainly shaped appropriately - but, a lot of them are.
After few spins, comparing The Paradox to the past few albums Influence Denied (2021) and Into Oblivion (2018), there is a clear step forward in regards of the songwriting prowess. Things have slowed down a notch. A sense of drama is introduced. Song structures evoke identity. Overall, the music starts to breathe instead of being just loud and aggressive.
"Beyond the Shadow's Void", "When the Shooting Begins" and "Kill Cloud" stand out and bear repeating. Commentary on the topics of the daily news cycles is apt and has a lot to say - so much so that you'll find new things on previously listened songs as you had gotten lost in the mosh.
While the raw nerve isn't showing as much the spirit of Eradicator hasn't been exorcised. The characteristically uncharacteristic Germanic grind is very much alive and kicking - and especially with the evolution of the music could've benefitted from another pass of proper shearing.
Before, I didn't much spend time thinking about Eradicator. Everything was in shipshape but their music simply wasn't interesting nor did it stand out. With The Paradox I will certainly start paying attention going forward!
★★★☆☆ GOOD SH!T