TABAHI - Politricks (Mini-Review)

This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of a thrash single worth checking out.

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Written by: The Administrator

Karachi's Tabahi are, in their words, the only thrash metal band from Pakistan. "Politricks" is their first track in seven years. The math is pretty clear: there isn't a whole lot of thrash coming out of Pakistan. Despite being the sole bearers of the banner, Tabahi are evidently making a hell of a scene on their own--this new single is an absolute ripper.

If you're a fan of the pounding riffage and general savagery of the progenitors of German thrash, you'll inevitably find "Politricks" an enjoyable ride. Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction are accurate points of comparison. ​There's not much seat-of-the-pants Bay Area freneticism here--the solo towards the end, for example, feels contained rather than something you might find coming from, I dunno, Forbidden. Indeed, the band describes the guitar's approach as "claustrophobic," which feels accurate, given the meaty tone and propensity to pummel. While there isn't exactly much innovation at play, the extremely polished aggression that this duo offers up only serves to demonstrate the reality that newer bands can execute the formula as confidently as legacy acts. The instrumentation is tight, the vocals are muscular and vicious, and the energy is through the roof. This is everything a modern thrash track should be, and when it comes to overtly targeting the political deception and hypocrisy they witness in their environ, Tabahi are utilizing their songcraft to its fullest extent. The band considers this single "a direct call out." You love to see it.

Notably, this track prompted me to check out their self-titled album from 2014, which is quite enjoyable as well. They've got a second album coming out this summer--keep yer eyes and ears appropriately peeled.

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Tabahi can be found:
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