Band:	Hatchet
Album:	Leave No Soul
Style:	Bay Area thrash metal
Release date:	October 25, 2024
A review by:	Thryce

01. Leave No Soul
02. Concealing Decay
03. Withering Minds
04. Human Insecticide [Annihilator cover]
05. Hellion [W.A.S.P. cover]

If you know a thing or two about Bay Area thrash metal, chances are you’ve probably heard of Hatchet before. And if you know a thing or two about modern-day thrash metal, chances are you’re also aware there are very few wheels left to reinvent. Instead, the smart move is to just hit the ground running - preferably headfirst into a brick wall like a crash test dummy with a death wish.

And that’s exactly what Hatchet is doing on Leave No Soul: smashing through with reckless abandon and grinning as the sparks fly.

Leave No Soul marks the band’s first release in over six years, following 2018’s Dying To Exist. The EP consists of three brand-new tracks, an Annihilator cover of “Human Insecticide” and a second cover of the W.A.S.P. song “Hellion”.

Over the years, Hatchet has become synonymous with relentless speed, technical mastery, and infectious energy. Leave No Soul stands as a fiery testament to the undying spirit of thrash, offering a short yet relentless burst of ferocity, precision, and attitude.

Literally from the opening riff, this EP rips into action with the title track, “Leave No Soul”, a frantic outburst of aggression that’ll leave your neck sore before the first chorus even hits. Next up is “Concealing Decay”, which, while still blistering in speed, introduces some melody without losing the punch, proving Hatchet can shift gears without losing their edge. But this isn’t just a high-octane speedfest; Leave No Soul has depth too. For me, the EP’s crown jewel is “Withering Minds”, a track with a more intricate structure that weaves melody and atmosphere into the fury. Like a tornado, the song spirals into a vortex of riffs, with swirling twin guitars that pull you in before hitting you with a thunderous gallop.

These three songs boast rapid tempos, with basslines thundering along and solos that hit like lightning bolts. Drummer Ben Smith is hammering those double bass pedals like he’s training for the thrash Olympics, while Julz Ramos’ vocals are a furious blend of snarls and higher-pitched shrieks that hit you like a steamroller full of rage. The production, helmed by Nick Botelho (known for his work for Deadly Remains and Flub), strikes a perfect balance between raw energy and clarity. Every instrument punches through the mix with crystal-clear precision, amplifying the EP’s intensity without over-polishing its gritty core, and preserving the chaotic energy that defines thrash metal.

After crushing us with three killer originals, Hatchet throws in two well-executed covers to round out the EP. Both are bold choices, and Hatchet thrashifies these classics to an absurdly entertaining degree, without losing their essence, and injects their own fiery energy into the tracks to make any seasoned thrash head’s heart race. Annihilator’s “Human Insecticide” feels like a turbocharged freight train barreling downhill. “Hellion”, on the other hand, keeps its anthemic, fist-pumping spirit with a rawer, more aggressive edge.

After a six-year break, Leave No Soul marks a strong return to form for Hatchet. The band has kept their thrash roots alive, all while subtly continuing to evolve their sound, proving that they’ve still got more than enough firepower to burn through the competition. Capturing the essence of Bay Area thrash, this is the kind of enjoyable release that makes you think, “Sweet-baby-Jesus-doing-the-cha-cha-cha-on-a-rainbow-sprinkled-cupcake, I’ve been waiting for this!” It’s the perfect intoxicating blend of speed and melody that defines the old-school thrash feel, with just enough modern flair to keep it fresh.

If you’re new to thrash or haven’t heard Hatchet before, consider this your sign from the universe. And for the rest of us, it’s time to dust off that denim battle jacket, tighten those wristband spikes and get ready to mosh the night away. Because Hatchet has just proven that they’re not just torchbearers for the genre - they’re forging their own inferno.