Hatchet Leave No Soul CD Review

Given that this Halloween season was a lot less interesting than I was hoping for, I clung to the fact that Bay Area Thrashers, Hatchet would be releasing a new effort. The band’s latest is an EP entitled “Leave No Soul”. I, like so many others found the band due to reviewing their debut album, Awaiting Evil which was released on Metal Blade Records. I still pull that debut album down and take it for a spin every chance I get, it’s essential as far as today’s Thrash Metal is concerned. On this new effort, I feel that Hatchet really captures the essence and hunger the band showcased on Awaiting Evil.

The title track, “Leave No Soul” starts this EP out with tons of mean and never lets up, it’s pummeling and there’s no reprieve. Riffs fill the air like acid rain falling from the sky and the rest of the band keep that “drive it like you stole it mindset”. Think early Slayer era and you’ll catch my drift. There’s a great deal of harmony and melody in the lead breaks and riffs which is a nice touch considering how heavy the track comes across. “Concealing Decay” continues the devastation, these fellas are pissed off and it shows. This track reminds of the old Thrash band DEAD ON, the cadence of the vocal melodies and certain aspects of the vocals had me do a double take to be sure I was really listening to Hatchet. If you haven’t heard of Dead On, take a quick moment to check them out, you won’t be sorry. The band also offers up two covers which I really enjoyed. The first of the two is Annihilator’s “Human Incesticide”. What can be said about this cover, it’s hard to describe – covering Annihilator isn’t for the faint at heart. Several bands have tried and most have failed miserably. Hatchet does this song a great deal of justice, they don’t change up the melodies nor do they don’t slow it down, if anything they speed it up a few paces. For oldschool Annhilator fans, this will be a joyous listen. The next track is my favorite of the two covers. If you know me well, you know I’m a signed, sealed and delivered fanboy of the band W.A.S.P. Anytime a band covers one of their tracks, I’m down to hear it and I’m super critical of every aspect of it. Hatchet chose the song “Hellion” and much like the Annihilator track they do it serious justice. The gang vocals on the chorus are over-exaggerated and LOUD which I appreciate, it adds more depth and chaos to an already bad ass song. I also thought that sticking with the original lead breaks that Randy Piper and Chris Holmes wrote was classy too – a sincere way to pay homage to those guys. Overall, I thought it to be one of the better W.A.S.P. covers that I've heard in awhile.

Hatchet’s Leave No Soul is another one of those releases that dropped at the end of the year that’ll no doubt make it into my top ten releases of 2024. I anticipated this release heavily, I literally counted the days as soon as the release was announced, and I’m not disappointed in the least. The production on the effort is topnotch, the artwork is fantastic, and the band delivers the goods musically. This effort was released on vinyl, CD and cassette. I strongly recommend picking up one of these mediums. Thrash Metal like this should be heralded and celebrated, it’s becoming a lost art form. Rejoice, Hatchet has returned! 

~Black Angel