### Paincraze: Hellbound

#### 03/11/10 || The Duff

Take Anthrax, Exodus, Metallica, Slayer, Annihilator, some stoner/Sabbath, stock-Pantera and hints of death and a pile of awesome, chuck in a vocalist who’s relaxed about his position behind the mic and knows when not to take metal all too seriously and you have Paincraze; setbacks include not the most cerebral, not the most varied and not the most original of music – otherwise, sit down and kick back, grateful for the testosterone coursing through your man-veins.

Basically yet another revival thrash band but more for the modern age, i.e. more accessible (Pantera-simplistic in terms of arrangements), this disc has a much more “hard-rocking” edge to it, methinks, when compared to other recent thrash outfits, the very direct, quite inexperienced approach to the band’s music finding greater appeal to the beers O’clock meets and bromance crowd.

Paincraze may appear formulaic to the majority of you; truth is, the band knows fun like only a thrash revival outfit can, and despite a more melancholic moment here and there, they seem to embrace the tongue in cheek nature of an outfit like Municipal Waste in spite of their inadequacies in being top-tier musicians.

The production is a very full, non-coated affair, which allows one to once more overlook the shortcomings and simply enjoy what’s on offer; the solos are of a “bed-room practice” variety, which for me is like a baby-cocked pornstar – exceptionally reassuring for someone who will never reach the heights of the Loomis’; the musicianship’s forte is shown in the simple but hard-hitting, unpretentious riffs, not in any technical prowess.

Despite my enthusiasm, I can only recommend these Swedes’ music to a select few, seeing as they are catchy, thrashy and enjoyable for the pre-concert house parties and whatnot – like Pantera, but this day and age, not at all relevant. From a personal perspective though, I dig “Hellbound” very much for the teenager in me that forgot when metal used to be real fucking fun.

- Information
- Released: 2008
- Label: Independent
- Website: www.paincraze.com
- Band
- Göran Nyström: vocals
- Mikael Wennstig: guitars
- Jon Pedersén: guitars
- Niklas Linnes: bass
- Tom Åsvold: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Napalm
- 02. Black Day
- 03. Vow of Silence
- 04. Secret Society
- 05. Hurt
- 06. No More
- 07. I’m Grateful
- 08. So Be It
- 09. Hellbound