While certainly no overnight sensation, you could say that Swedish metalcore band thrown’s ascendency has been astronomical. Formed in 2021, thrown have cultivated over 81 million global streams since the release of their debut single, with their first EP (Extended Pain) amassing 50 million hits alone. Now, after destroying stages with the likes of Knocked Loose and Counterparts, the band are ready to step up to the next level with their debut album EXCESSIVE GUILT, a long player that should send the band into the stratosphere.
It has been a busy summer for thrown, having played festivals all over Europe (including a slot at Manchester’s Radar) and it has been a bout of activity that has laid the groundwork for EXCESSIVE GUILT and without missing a beat the band hit us with explosive opener ‘guilt’. There’s no time to waste on fancy introductions or preambles, just Marcus Lundqvist’s vocals over a discombulating beat, and then the band are off and delivering a hard-hitting sound, and one that shakes the ground like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out. A nail bomb exploding, the album has a sound that fractures in all directions and sends sharp shards of sonics flying and embedding themselves deep in the listener’s cranium. It’s a heavy, brutal sound that draws favourable comparisons with the aforementioned Knocked Loose and more old school acts such as Hatebreed (and to a lesser extent, Terror) and will appeal equally to fans of both.
The great thing about thrown is that they don’t use two notes when one will suffice; everything is boiled down into it’s purest distillation until all that’s left is undiluted rage (which is 100% proof). Therefore, none of these tracks crack the three-minute mark and that only adds to the feeling of brutality; each song is delivered like a well-aimed blow to the solar plexus with songs such as ‘bloodsucker’ and ‘vent’ beating us into submission. The song titles are presented in lower case, there’s nothing low key about these songs; thrown are pissed off and they want the world to know it.
At the conclusion of every metal festival, there’s always the nagging question as to who will be future headliners, thrown and EXCESSIVE GUILT provide the answer.
- EXCESSIVE GUILT is released via Arising Empire on 30th August 2024.
Track List:
1. guilt
2. backfire
3. on the verge
4. bitter friend
5. nights
6. look at me
7. dislike
8. ignored
9. bloodsucker
10. vent
11. so done
