Review: Tantara - Based on Evil

TANTARA
Based on Evil
Indie Recordings



Tantara's self-released EP Human Mutation set the stage for a promising young metal band who know the art of well-crafted thrash metal tunes. The EP garnered Tantara an underground swell of well-deserved support from all over the world. After all, Human Mutation was a damn good EP, causing many fans to wonder where the immediate future would take the band.

When word got out that legendary music producer Flemming Rasmussen was tapped to handle their debut album Based on Evil, the fan base gave an overwhelming positive response. However, to have such a famous name tied to the band's debut album comes with expectations on their delivery: They either bring it or they bite off more than they can chew.

Well, if Human Mutation was a welcome kick in the ass, then Based on Evil is a full-on neck breaking body slam. Any worries that Tantara might drop the ball on their highly anticipated debut will cast aside all doubt after the opening title track begins with a short slow grind before driving into a full thrashing assault.

It's mind boggling how good this album is, because beyond the killer galloping riffs, the ripping vocals, and attention-grabbing dynamics, there is a distinct hunger emanating from the band that sharpens each track to a dangerous and gut-passionate edge. It's not something you can fake, and with all the excitement, sweat, blood, and devotion Tantara has for thrash metal, Based on Evil is as real as it gets.

There are many highlights, including the mid-paced, pissed-off bad-assery of Mass Murder, and Prejudice of Violence which includes a chorus of gang vocals that brings to mind its usage on Vio-Lence's Eternal Nightmare album. In fact, the gang vocals peppered throughout all of Based on Evil are horns-up metal as hell!

As a natural balance to the blistering madness, Tantara ties in acoustical parts that flow in and out of select songs, adding a haunting tranquility that rings of caution instead of happiness. The beginning of Killing of Mother Earth is an alluring homage to early Testament, complete with Skolnick-esque soloing that blends seamlessly with the underlying music. Along these same lines, the symphonic ending to Prejudice of Violence is absolutely stunning.

There are a lot of bands that put out good, solid albums, but there are fewer that are able to bare their fangs while putting forth music that sounds so well-crafted and purposeful. Based on Evil is an important album for the new wave of thrash, as it demonstrates that the genre is far from dead in the water.

Check out the album single Trapped in Bodies below and then follow them on Facebook here.