DOOMSDAY - Never Known Peace (Review)

Written by: Blackie Skulless

The California thrash act Doomsday has been around for a little while, dropping only EPs for the better part of a decade. They reached my radar with the latest release, combining their hints into a full idea that piqued some serious interest immediately. Never Known Peace is the name of this full realization, feeling extremely refreshing. As a huge fan of the genre, it isn’t lost on me how redundant it can be these days, so finding something that breaks that mold is no minor feat.

Not to say that Doomsday is overly unique, but everything they do on their debut full-length is not only performed wonderfully but is topped with nasty grit of its own, tapping into several different frequencies. With a very heavy hardcore influence, this record takes the crossover path while avoiding the “party” aesthetic that has a short shelf-life, trading it for a more serious tone that injects immense levels of attitude. Harsher vocals boosted by a mean snarl pair wonderfully with both the most basic aspects and the more intricate ones. Strong solos are not skipped for simplicity, the basslines further enhance the explosive nature of the riffs, and dramatic jumps in pace feel organic on every track.

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With all of this said, it’s rather impressive that nothing distracts from the pissed off attitude meant to coat every corner. Breakdowns don’t sub-in for solos, but compliment them in a way that the thrash formula often struggles to blend with. Making this even better is Never Known Peace’s swift runtime, swinging all of this with just over thirty minutes. Thus, our final product is a quick dose of competent song construction utilizing thrash and hardcore tactics that avoid either genre’s cheesier aspects, instead meshing them together with furious vibes.
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Tearing deeper into this, you’ll find some of the meanest and filthiest vocal work in the genre. “The Outlaw” pairs this with some of the fastest punches on the record, while conversely we get a slow burn towards the end in “Pain Dweller,” the album’s longest track (at a whopping 4:06!) The title track has similar energy, instead utilizing this pace at the beginning before breaking in some of the best drumwork prior to the record’s most fierce breakdown. Opener “Death Is Here” rakes in a similar stomp with its bass breakdown preceding one of the record’s best solos, and “Holy Justice” highlights the lead guitarist's strengths in invoking pain and strife. That general front-line vibe is all over the place, showcased further in the bouncy rhythms of “Everyday War,” and if this isn’t enough, “Remnants Of Spite” almost acts as a nod to Slayer riffwise.

Instinct tells me to compare this to Power Trip, but there’s a clear distinction even deriving from that, especially with how much more the hardcore influences are laid out here. Despite finding some decent thrash gems in recent years, I’d be hard pressed to say there are any that snagged me this fast. Never Known Peace should be heard by anyone even remotely interested in the punk, hardcore, crossover, or thrash metal genres. Every facet is convincing, pumped with authentic passion, and pulled off immaculately.

Doomsday - Never Know Peace was released March 28, 2025 via Creator-Destroyer Records. Find it here!

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Doomsday can be found at Bandcamp and Instagram
Cover art by Spencer Davie