Thrash Metal
UK

Releasing 17th July

There is something truly gratifying following an underground band and seeing, in real time, their rise in fame.
I’ve been into this stuff called metal since the 1980s and watched some of the biggest acts in the world right now opening for bands that no longer exist.
Some of those have, themselves since, hung up the axe but the cycle still retains its poignancy.

This time, I have the rare pleasure of such a band being closer to home.

The London thrash quintet, IMPERIUM finally have a debut album, EXODUS UNKNOWN, due for release on the 17th of July and, as an even more rare treat, I got to hear said album before release.
After three years since IMPERIUM released the EP, When Kings Meet, their trajectory is obvious immediately on EXODUS UNKNOWN.

By retaining the classic UK thrash ethos laid down by the likes of Xentrix, Re-Animator and Slammer, IMPERIUM have adopted a sleeves up, knuckle down design to modern thrash.
Now signed to Heavy Metal Records, they bring with them an arsenal of tricks and deadly riffs honed from well spent stage time with their peers.

HELL AND HIGH WATER demonstrates these skills straight away. Aggressive, abrasive and utterly IMPERIUM, technicality and melody make formidable allies here. This continues through to the title track with its tale of planetary conquest and ruin. It also contains an insanely cool bass solo.
Further in, REAP WHAT YOU SOW, with its battle march intent and Testament style middle eight, surprises with some nicely delivered clean vocals.

A worthy mention should go to this album’s producer, OZ CRAGGS, who has done a blinding job here, especially on UNSTOPPABLE. The track the most approachable, ‘radio friendly’ one on the album, yet the mix still holds that IMPERIUM menace and grit.

I mentioned Testament before and it was without diluting what is going on here. THE GUN is the type of song that the Bay Area bastions wished they could still write, which is countered by HANGMAN. A sweaty urgent ode to organised aural ordnance that will keep pits pulsing and bruises brandished.

At this point, we get to the proven point of how healthy the IMPERIUM thing is. TREAD THE SERPENT is the most clear and true window into UK thrash you can get. It is, without overstating, an anthem, and not because it features a certain Tom Doley from a certain Venom Inc. As a guest, it is purely down to the inherent IMPIRIUM hunger for heavy. It was from their support stint with Mr Doley’s band that he was impressed enough to join in. High praise indeed.

As a finale, THE END is a beautifully composed piece reminiscent of a Black Sabbath artistic stretch. THE END, however is no stretch. It comes across naturally and the impact is moving.

It is no surprise, once finished, that IMPERIUM are turning the right heads. EXODUS UNKNOWN is, quite possibly, the most fully fleshed and rounded debut to come from this decade. This is no cynical sales ride. This is the cumulative sum of talent and hunger to feed those that bred them and those that face them at every gig.

If Robb Flynn of Machine Head will drop everything to see your New Blood set at Bloodstock 2022, maybe you could also take the hint.

EXODUS UNKNOWN will release on the 17th of July via Heavy Metal Records on all major streaming sites.

Digital and physical formats are available for preorder from the IMPERIUM Bandcamp (HERE).

A launch show is happening at The Black Heart in Camden, followed by a set on the Sophie Lancaster stage at Bloodstock ’26.