Alkira ‘The Pulse’ EP
Album Review By Adam McCann
Independent Release/Thrash Metal
It feels much longer than it has actually been since Alkira last graced us with music. Following a mini break, the Aussie thrashers have returned with ‘The Pulse’, an EP released at the tail end of last year.
Fans of Alkira will not be surprised to see that the band pick up exactly where they left off with their previous album ‘Klotho’. Yet, what makes ‘The Pulse’ so enjoyable is that it has the feeling that the band have re-ignited that fire following their rest; therefore, this EP drives the spike home throughout, not only appealing to fans of their previous work, but also having the ability to pull fans in from the likes of Toxic Holocaust, Power Trip and Warbringer, but also more classic thrash metal such as Testament as vocalist Gregory Challis delivers a performance that would make Chuck Billy sit back and nod in appreciation.
However, this album is bookended by two of the best tracks that Alkira have ever written, the title track kick starts the whole thing, whilst ‘Powertrip’ brings the EP to a climax at a manageable 24 minutes with ‘Sludge Machine’ strategically placed in the middle to keep the momentum going. The other two tracks are relatively forgettable, but who cares? ‘The Pulse’ is perfectly poised to provide a springboard into the next album. More of the same lads.
Rating : 70/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
