UMUR "The New Age of Terror" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash/speed metal act Hirax. The album was released through Deep Six Records in May 2004. It´s the band´s first album release since "Hate, Fear and Power" from 1986 although after their comeback in 2000 they released the "El Diablo Negro" EP in 2000 and the "Barrage of Noise" EP in 2001. Only lead vocalist Katon W. de Pena is left from the lineup who recorded "Hate, Fear and Power (1986)".

Hirax have opted to include the title track from the "El Diablo Negro (2000)" EP, but the remaining 10 tracks on "The New Age of Terror" are new originals which are exclusive to this release. Stylistically Hirax pretty much continue where they left off in the mid-80s, although the tracks are generally a little more heavy and the more contemporary sounding production also contributes to the heaviness of the recording in a positive way. de Pena was always an aquired taste, and personally I wasn´t that fond of his nasal wailing on the early albums, but he varies his voice and vocal style a bit more on "The New Age of Terror", and I can´t deny that he is quite the unique sounding singer. There´s personality in his delivery and a great passion too, which should always be praised.

The tracks are generally memorable, raw, and effectful, and Hirax are a well playing act too. As mentioned above "The New Age of Terror" features a well sounding production, which suits the material well, so upon conclusion it´s a welcome comeback for Hirax. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Barrage of Noise" is an EP release by US, California based thrash/speed metal act Hirax. The EP was released through Black Devil Records in 2001. It´s the successor to Hirax comeback EP/single release "El Diablo Negro" from 2000. During their initial run Hirax released two full-length studio albums in the mid-80s (the last one being "Hate, Fear and Power" from 1986) and then folded.

Stylistically the material on "Barrage of Noise" are a continuation of the aggressive thrash metal style of "El Diablo Negro (2000)". Heavy riffs, faster thrashy riffs and screaming solos, a well playing rhythm section, and the distinct sounding voice and raw delivery of Katon W. DePena in front. Featuring 8 tracks and a total playing time of 22:17 minutes, the EP is just short of being labelled a full-length album (Hirax debut album "Raging Violence (1985)" is only 8 minutes longer), and there is more than enough time and tracks for Hirax to display the different shades of their sound. The early hardcore punk influence is heard a couple of times, the raw speed/thrash metal sound is there, and the more contemporary heavy and slightly groove laden thrash metal style is also present. Hirax even include the instrumentals "Jade" and "French Pearl" (the latter being an acoustic guitar track), to further enhance the impression that they can successfully handle different stylistic elements.

Hirax are a well playing act and "Barrage of Noise" also features a raw, powerful, and effectful sound production, which suits the material well, so upon conclusion it´s a quality thrash metal release from one of the more unique sounding artists on the scene. I´ll probably recommend listening to some of their full-length studio albums before this one, but that doesn´t change the fact that a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "El Diablo Negro" is an EP/single release by US thrash metal act Hirax. The EP was released through Robodog Records in 2000. Originally only as a 7 inch vinyl picture disc, but it was later issued on CD too. It was a comeback release for Hirax, as they hadn´t released any new music since their second full-length studio album "Hate, Fear and Power" from 1986.

"El Diablo Negro" is a short burst of aggressive thrash metal featuring only 3 tracks and a full playing time of 7:37 minutes. It´s raw, energetic, and passionately performed by a skilled band. Lead vocalist Katon W. DePena has a distinct sounding voice and delivery, and while his vocals could be a bit hard on the ears on the early Hirax releases, he has become more raw sounding and varied with the years, and it suits both him and the music well. Both "I See Blood Red" and "Slit your Wrist (Anti-Suicide Song)" are scorching fast-paced thrashers, while the EP/single title track is slightly more varied and also features groove laden heavy riffs.

"El Diablo Negro" features a raw and unpolished sound production, which suits the material perfectly. This is savage, to-the-bone authentic thrash metal delivered with the right amount of aggression and conviction, and although short, "El Diablo Negro" is a welcome comeback to the scene for Hirax. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Hate, Fear and Power" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash/speed metal act Hirax. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in August 1986. There´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as drummer John Tabares has been replaced by Eric Brecht. While "Hate, Fear and Power" only features 8 tracks and a full playing time of 16:02 minutes, the band still consider it a full-length studio album.

"Raging Violence (1985)" was a relatively raw thrash/speed metal album, but it still featured quite a few traditional heavy metal traits. That´s not the case on "Hate, Fear and Power", which is a faster, more intense, and even more raw thrash/speed metal release. It´s primal energy and raw and organic sound production are quite intoxicating at times, but Katon W. de Pena´s vocals are bound to be an aquired taste. His wailing and screaming vocals are quite distinct sounding, and unfortunately also a rather one-dimensional feature in the band´s music, and his voice and vocal style make the tracks sound a lot the same. It´s like he only has one tone and melody line and applies them to every track on the album. Pretty much the same critique I gave his vocal performance on the debut album, and little has changed here regarding that. It simply becomes a bit of a strenuous task listening to his vocals for the duration of the album, despite the short length of the release. When that is said I always praise originality and uniqueness, and he certainly is both distinct sounding and unique.

The instrumental part of the music is fast, intense, and raw thrash/speed metal delivered by some skilled musicians. The 8 tracks are all relatively short (the longest being 2:54 minutes long), and "Hate, Fear and Power" is one of those albums which feels like it´s over before it began. It wins on intensity and raw power, and loses a bit on the memorability of the songwriting, but it´s overall a quality release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved. de Pena´s voice is pretty much a deal breaker though, so be prepared for that.

UMUR "Raging Violence" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based thrash/speed metal act Hirax. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in November 1985. Hirax was founded under the L.A. Kaos monicker in 1981, but changed their name to K.G.B. in 1983. The Hirax monicker was adopted in 1984. The band released a 1984 demo and appeared on the "Anglicon Scrape Attic" split in 1985. So while Hirax folded in 1989 after only releasing two full-length studio albums, they were an important part of the early California thrash/speed metal scene. They were a bit unusual in regards to personale, as lead vocalist Katon W. de Pena was/is African-American, which was not exactly the order of the day on the metal scene in the 1980s.

Stylistically the material on the 14 track, 30:55 minutes long album is thrash/speed metal, not completely unlike the early recordings by artists like Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, and Anthrax. So it´s not full blown thrash metal but instead features quite a few nods toward speed/traditional heavy metal in both the riff department and in the vocal style. And the vocal style needs a special mention here as Katon W. de Pena has one of the most distinct sounding voices and vocal styles on the scene. I´ll admit that the first time I listened to "Raging Violence" I couldn´t keep from laughing because of the pretty unconventional and unusual sounding vocals, but I´ve slowly begun to appreciate his original take on thrash metal singing. It´s a bit hard to give a fitting description of how he sounds, but raw staccato thrash metal styled shouting combined with some pretty unique sounding high pitched wailing is the best I can do.

I think that part of the music is bound to be an aquired taste. The same way a vocalist like King Diamond will always divide the waters, and although Katon W. de Pena´s vocals are now acceptable to my ears, it doesn´t mean I don´t still have some issues with them. His phrasing and vocal melodies could for example have been a lot more varied and the music would have prospered greatly from it. Because as it is, many tracks on "Raging Violence" sound too much the same, and that has a lot to do with the vocal style and the vocal melodies.

The instrumental part of the music is relatively raw thrash/speed metal featuring a high energy level. The musicianship is strong and the organic and powerful sound production suits the rawness of the music perfectly. Upon conclusion "Raging Violence" is for fans of the early- to mid 80s thrash/speed metal scene and the time before thrash metal was more established as a genre. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

Pelata For well over 20 years now, Hirax has been feeding its rabid cult following heaping, fiery helpings of tried and true Thrash Metal. Now the Hirax live experience has been documented for the rest of the world to see with Thrash And Destroy, a live DVD/CD weighed down with more of the Metal you crave.

Spotlighting the band’s performance at Keep It True XI in Dittigheim, Germany, the band rips and tears through a high energy, 75-minute set including “Chaos And Brutality”, “The Plague”, “Mouth Sewn Shut”, “Lucifer’s Inferno”, “Hate, Fear And Power” and 13 other whiplash inducing tracks. The camera angles are cool (looks like television cameras), the audio is clean and clear (good soundboard mix) and Katon & Co. are whipping up a frenzy onstage. As if one concert wasn’t enough, the band have included their 12 song set from Metal Forces Night – Part I as an added bonus. The accompanying CD contains the audio for the Keep It True show.

Not a lot else one can really say about this release. It’s raw, it’s loud, it’s in your face Metal…2 full concerts to watch and one to take in the car with cool artwork by Bill Hauser (Toxic Holocaust, Gorilla Biscuits). Oh, it’s also recently been released as a double vinyl set for the diehards. Grab this one up.