Metalcatto
I guess I should stop giving chances only to the big fish and actually start caring more about the tiny ones, even if that comes with fewer views and less immediate payoff. After all, we mostly don’t do this for the money, right? Anyway, Shadowmass deliver a Thrash Metal record with Wasteland that at least promises not to be completely derivative. Let’s say they don’t… waste our time (don’t hit me for the pun). There’s a clear sense of intent here! Let’s go!
For once, it’s easy to offer a clear comparison with less underground acts. These guys clearly love Kreator. The melody-driven Thrash feels like a love letter to those German classics—and no, I’m not talking about Goethe or Schiller. The balance between aggression, clean production, and catchy hooks is everywhere on this record, making it approachable without feeling toothless. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t trigger a bit of nostalgia in me, bringing back memories of discovering Thrash when riffs felt dangerous but also fun. That familiarity works as a gateway rather than a limitation.
Despite sticking to well-established territory, Wasteland still offers enough shredding to keep the nerds happy. Any solid Thrash album lives or dies by its guitar solos, and Shadowmass clearly understands that rule. Beyond that, the songwriting itself is the most engaging aspect, since it avoids the most obvious shortcuts. It’s not wildly risky, but the riffs at least aim to sound fresher than whatever the bigger bands have been “cooking” over the past decade. That said, now it’s time for me to be a smug bastard and complain a little.
Comparing this to Kreator is flattering, but it also highlights the fact that Shadowmass are playing a very familiar game—one that any Thrash fan knows inside out. And you know me, I need surprises to avoid slipping into that mild existential dread you get when you once again let a salad rot in the fridge. I’d genuinely like to see the band push their music into stranger or less comfortable places in the future. Nothing here actively stinks; it’s simply very much what you expect from the genre.
Still, if you’re looking for something that brings simple joy and reminds you of less painful times, Wasteland might be the energetic ride you need to push through another day of soul-crushing routine. And no, I’m definitely not projecting here, okay? Either way, this album is solid, dependable, and honest in what it offers. Give it a spin—you could do a lot worse.
Label: Floga Records
Release date: January 19, 2025
Website: https://shadowmass.bandcamp.com
Country: Greece
Score: 3.2/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 