Angelus Apatrida is a Spanish thrash metal band that is gaining increasing popularity, partly due to their impressive live performances. Aftermath is their eighth studio album and the successor to the album that managed to reach number one in Spain: Angelus Apatrida (“/ˈan-je-lus – a-ˈpa-tri-da/”).
On the previous album, the focus was mainly on high energy and an aggressive musical approach, which at times led to monotony. However, on Aftermath, the band manages to ease off the accelerator in certain places. A great example of this is the first single, Cold, added here, where initially it seems like the band is sticking to their old recipe of high energy, but then suddenly introduces a very surprising melodic chorus. It shouldn’t work, but it sounds delightful, and the variation makes it much more engaging.
The second video, To Whom It May Concern, is also a departure from what I’m accustomed to from the Spaniards. Starting as a ballad, it takes well over a minute and a half before the intensity picks up. Even when it does, you’d expect the speed to remain high, but once again, the band proves that it’s wise to ease off the throttle at times. This track, with a duration of over eight and a half minutes, is remarkably long, yet the tempo changes keep it engaging without you even noticing the length. Special compliments are in order for the guitar solo around the six-minute mark; it almost sounds like the solo was lifted from a power ballad. This is one of the most mature tracks I’ve heard from Angelus Apatrida.
We come across a few guest appearances on Aftermath as well. For instance, we can hear Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta on the track Snob. WarCry guitarist Pablo García makes an appearance on Fire Eyes. Spanish hip-hop artist Sho-Hai contributes to What Kills Us All, where he gets to shout a few lines in Spanish. All these tracks mainly follow the standard scenario of going full throttle, with each guest appearance adding its own flavor to the music.
One of the most notable names on the guest list for me is Queensrÿche singer Todd La Torre. In the past, he has lent his vocals to a track by Metal Church, and his own album, Rejoice In The Suffering, showcased thrash influences. The song Vultures And Butterflies serves as the perfect closing track for this album. The combination of the raw vocals of Angelus Apatrida singer Guillermo Izquierdo with the pristine sounds of La Torre truly embodies both a vulture and a butterfly. Musically, there’s a back-and-forth between screeching and fluttering guitar sections that add to the depth of the track.
Aftermath, in my opinion, will propel Angelus Apatrida to greater fame further. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend witnessing the band live. You won’t be disappointed!
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