### Zenithal: Death race

#### 03/08/10 || revenant

Pop quiz time! OK, so the band I’m reviewing today has the name Zenithal. Who knows what “Zenithal” actually means?

Is it:

a) A chemical used not only in the making of pain relievers, but also used in making ecstasy tablets? b) Situated at or near a zenith? c) A cream that you buy from the chemist to clear up that nasty rash around your crotch area you got after you slept with that dirty bitch a week or so back? d) A Pagan god?

Tick, tick, tick… ok, that’s enough thinking time. The answer is b, situated at or near the zenith. So I guess that makes this band pretty optimistic about where they think they are in the music world. Or deluded. I’ll go with deluded.

Thrash… I fucken love it, particularly when it’s done well. Zenithal’s second album (this one I’m reviewing, in case you were wondering) starts off pleasingly, with the title track being a real “rock out with your cock out” track that opens the album well. After that, you might as well put your trouser snake back in your pants and zip up, because the first track is the exception, not the rule.

So what is actually wrong with Zenithal’s music? Well, it’s just not that interesting. This is pretty sub-par stuff, with generic riffs chugging along and nothing really there to get your blood pumping. There are a couple of nice guitar solos, some pretty good drumming but nothing that sticks. Vocally, it’s a pretty one dimensional performance. Growls, with no range, are the go. The song slips from verse to chorus without any change in pitch or delivery. The choruses themselves are unmemorable, so don’t expect any fist pumping anthems.

Last off – how bad is the cover? It’s a graphic designers nightmare. It’s like they had a picture and decided to “metal” it up. Seriously… “hey man, let’s, like, put a huge fucking skull looking over the cars… yeah! oh, and put some red spots around the logo and make it like blood spatter… awesome! oh, and for no explainable reason whatsoever, have a skeleton riding the second car side saddle”. What the fuck? FAIL.

I have no doubt that these guys could make a decent thrash album one day. If they could put together eight tracks of the same quality as the opener, then they will be worth checking out. Until then…

- Information
- Released: 2010
- Label: Casket
- Website: Zenithal MySpace
- Band
- James Edward Scott: vocals
- Rob Musgrove: guitars
- Tim Capper?: guitars
- Paul Roberts: bass
- Graeme van de Merwe: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Death Race
- 02. Sing For The Damned
- 03. Blue Magic
- 04. Punch And Judy
- 05. Crucifuxion
- 06. Accepted
- 07. Shrink ‘n’ Grow
- 08. Rocking Chair, The