Location: Los Angeles, California
Country: USA
Genre: Thrash metal
EP: Unkillable
Format: Digital album, first edition CD, cassette, limited edition deluxe black cassette (10 copies), test print CD (limited to 1 per person)
Label: Independent
Release date: October 31, 2024
Notorium’s "Unkillable" evokes memories of John Carpenter’s 1994 film "In the Mouth of Madness," where horror enthusiasts reading Sutter Cane’s novels become possessed by his writing, engaging in arbitrary, irrational acts of homicide. Does life imitate art, or is it a story within a story? Ask the Notorium fans who were unfortunate enough to be at their show the evening a serial killer who was also a corpse showed up and went to work. In a similar situation to the film, the killer remains at large and citizens are advised to stay home locking their doors and windows.
In the tradition of Iron Maiden’s infamous Eddie and the spirit of Hellhammer (“Ready for Slaughter”), Slayer (“Criminally Insane”), Exodus (“Strike of the Beast”), Kreator (“Pleasure to Kill”), Overkill (“Overkill”) and Destruction (“Mad Butcher”), Notorium’s debut recording is the tale of a young man resurrected to live his unfulfilled mortal desires for wanton violence, unfettered by constraints of humanity and legal boundaries. It’s set to vintage Southern California thrash infused with classic hardcore and groove, fully invigorated and energized to animate the songs.
Without delving into reasons or motivations, the narrative presents the Killer Cadaver as having emerged from the afterlife to commence his spree en route to the nightclub, and subsequently at the show, where he can presumably find sufficient human souls to satisfy his thirst for blood. If these songs are meant to comprise a concept, having fulfilled his cravings to claim souls alongside him, you could conclude that Killer Cadaver makes his way back to the underworld and perpetual damnation.
Characterized by rapid tempos and unyielding intensity, the guitar progressions shift between precise, machine gun-like rhythms and intricately crafted breakdowns. Certain note progressions bear a striking resemblance to 1980s German thrash, seamlessly integrated with the hardcore and groove, plus the 1970s hard rock that initially inspired Metallica and Megadeth. This and production by Michael and Julian Perge imparts as vital a quality as thrash was in its inception. The solid drum tracks particularly contain enough echo to make room for some different bass sounds.
Perhaps a narrative as intense and passionate as this one does not require an explanation regarding its main character. Nevertheless, I would appreciate some background information on the Killer Cadaver if the band opts to pursue this concept further. Was he merely deranged in life, or is he in search of some form of retribution? In addition to this, Notorium has selected to cover "Terminator", a track that was originally performed by the US band ArnoCorps for their 2009 EP "Ballsy". –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Michael Perge: Vocals, drums, bass
Ramon Martinez: Rhythm guitar
Max Waynn: Lead guitar
Track list:
1. Breaking News (Intro)
2. Killer Cadaver
3. I'll Show You The Reaper
4. Into The Corridors Of Decay
5. The Ultimate Doom
6. Terminator (ArnoCorps Cover)
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