Review of 4Arm - "Survivalist"

INDEPENDENT INSANITY

By: Geoff Teach

Upon first listening to Survivalist (Independent), the latest full-length studio album from Australia’s thrash metal powerhouse 4Arm, I could not help but be struck by the similarities in sound and production to Trivium. Then, upon doing my homework before writing this review, I discovered why: Survivalist was mixed by none other than Matt Hyde, the genius behind the boards of Trivium’s The Crusade. Yet, there is one stark difference between 4Arm and Trivium – the vocals.

Having parted ways with their former front-man after their U.S. tour with Slayer and Gojira, the Melbourne quintet decided to hire Chicago native Markus Johansson to be their new full-time vocalist. The result is a ballsier and seemingly more adult take on the riffs, rhythms, and patterns of the aforementioned Trivium. Fans of the infamous Orlando outfit would undoubtedly do well to check out Survivalist, but even former fans who lost touch with Trivium after Ascendancy (such as yours truly) would also behoove themselves to check out this remarkable album from 4Arm, as it is – to borrow a phrase from the reggae scene – “all killer, no filler”.

Right out of the gate, Survivalist smacks you right in the face with the speedy riffs and fantastic songwriting of “Eyes of The Slain”, and it never lets up. Not once. Presenting stellar tracks such as “Poisoned Mind”, “In Living Decay”, and my personal favorite, “Poverty of Flesh”, 4Arm’s Survivalist is excellently-produced, classic thrash metal brilliance. This spectacular album is available now, so head on over to 4Arm’s Bandcamp page (link provided below) to order your own copy today!

Keep it metal! \m/

To check out the official lyric video for “Poisoned Mind” off of Survivalist, just press play below!