Paul Gillis has been a fixture of the Chicago metal scene for the past 25+ years. While dabbling in a variety of projects over those 25+ years, his main specialties include blood soaked death metal (Morgue Supplier) and death metal that kinda sorta isn’t even really death metal (Drug Honkey). His new project, Rabid Beast, is neither of these. Rabid Beast is a tribute to the late 80s thrash scene, right before death metal took over. Joining Gillis in this latest endeavor is his ex-Morgue Supplier bandmate, Eric Bauer.
Rabid Beast’s self titled EP kicks off with the no nonsense “Decline into Disorder”. This track establishes the mood for the next 20 minutes. This is some ultra-violent thrash loaded with ignorant hate riffs and tormented vocals. It also sounds genuinely dated from the late 80s. If this was self produced, bravo. “Existential Maelstrom” follows with some stupidly heavy militant riffs.
If mid tempo thrash isn’t your cup of tea, never fear. My favorite track, “First Among Equals”, switches things up big time. This is a fast and frantic neck snapper if I’ve ever heard one. So is the perhaps semi-autobiographical “Green Room is Red”. While the lyrics come off as partially absurd to this jaded metal critic, the struggle is all too real for any bands that aren’t managed/operated by the Live Nation regime. There’s nothing worse than putting up with unprofessional promoters/venues/venue employees, especially if you’ve been in the game for as long as Gillis and Bauer have.
Rabid Beast closes with a cover of “Overlord” by the cult Canadian outfit, Infernäl Mäjesty. This was a great choice. Most thrash bands go for the obligatory Slayer or Exodus song. It’s nice to see Rabid Beast thinking outside the box. Overall, the cover itself is pretty faithful to the original.
Is Rabid Beast offering anything new to the collective thrash metal table? No. It’s a couple of old school dudes playing old school thrash. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll take this EP over the twenty zillion Municipal Waste knockoffs that popped up over the country like acne during the 2010s. Thankfully, all of those types have since moved on to embarrass themselves further with Entombed worship bands, leaving more room for the likes of Rabid Beast to deliver the thrash that matters.
6 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Demolition Hammer, Nuclear Assault, Sepultura