Undo the Chains

Since the previous Wraith album didn’t exactly reel me in, I wasn’t overly fast to hear Undo The Chains, but I’m glad I did. While their style has been rather straightforward blackened speed metal with punk touches, their last album tried to clean things up but didn’t take the writing much further. Enter the third and latest effort, and everything pays off. Not only is the writing tighter itself, but there’s more to dig up.

For their first time ever, there are drastic tempo shifts within songs that manage to bring the tone with it in a smooth manner, which naturally breathes more life. It goes without saying that this also means they’ve figured out how to execute slower songs with swift motion, allowing for cleaner cuts and overall better output. Opening “Gatemaster” on a small solo that leads into the verse was certainly a solid move. “Cloaked In Black” has to be one of my favorites, incorporating several layers of rhythms under wailing leads before breaking into the beef of the track.

You still get plenty of the straightforward punk vibes on Undo The Chains. “Mistress Of The Void” is a quick banger that rides on the simple formulas with an earworm of a chorus. “Disgusting” does a lot with that in a short amount of time, ending on an explosive note. On a newer scope, you can gather rock ‘n roll vibes in “Born To Die,” which are to the point and loads of fun. Steadier progressions have honestly done wonders for the band in all of these areas.

Really, this is the Wraith record I’ve truly been waiting for. Though it isn’t groundbreaking or mind blowing by any means, this is easily the best effort by the band to date. I could see this taking a more traditional thrash direction down the line and peaking in even more territory. Lots of aggression, plenty of full riffing, and a dash of fun. If you hear one album by them, make it this one.