We could sit here all day and argue for the importance of speed in metal. There’s a time and a place for it and the lack of it, and I oftentimes find myself leaning more towards the latter given the dominance of doom and related styles while thrash and its contemporaries don’t often stand up to the competition in my experience. Of course, there are always exceptions. The underground is an exceedingly dense place that has more than enough mysteries to uncover for anyone willing to dig through it all. Eventually, you’re bound to find something you weren’t expecting. Having stumbled upon Grave Risk tonight, I find myself in that exact position.

A proper work of well done crossover thrash is something that we just do not get often enough by any stretch. Not as widespread as many of the other sounds throughout metal, crossover thrash has real potency and potential for all that raw fury and unbridled rage towards society that one could ask for which can easily make for a hell of a creation should a band simply take the opportunity to deliver on such a premise. In just four tracks, Grave Risk brings forth more than what many others dare to attempt in more than quadruple the content. It’s across the scant eight-minute runtime of “Mindkiller” that Grave Risk puts forth a devastating understanding of their craft with the blistering speed, punk attitude, and invigorating songwriting that crossover thrash tends to be associated with, yet there’s more here than what meets the eye. It’s clear throughout “Mindkiller” that Grave Risk knows what they’re doing with the EP as a whole seeming to only show us a small glimpse of what this Australian act can throw down. There’s so much room for improvement even as Grave Risk shows a magnificent display of power that is sure to only grow well beyond what these four tracks throw down in every instance.

With potential and power in equal measure, Grave Risk puts itself out into the underground as a crossover thrash act that demands to be watched closely. Growth is sure to come with time as this act already shows an adept capacity at bringing crossover glory to life in magnificent fashion, the future seems exceedingly interesting for this band. Until they make the next move, we certainly have our hands full with all that “Mindkiller” has to offer.

LISTEN to “Mindkiller” on Bandcamp here.

FOLLOW Grave Risk on Instagram here.