I can describe this album in one single word for you: FUN!
Having formed back in 2002 in Newry, Northern Ireland, these guys were completely unknown to me until a few months ago when they were playing in front of me as an opening band for the recently reunited legendary Bay Area thrashers, Forbidden. Gama Bomb's music isn't much different as its full throttle thrash metal, but what makes the album such a blast for me is not only that its fast and relentless with catchy riffs and killer solos but the simple fact that the band throws in a great deal of humor into their music.
Throughout the fifteen songs and thirty eights minutes that this album lasts the band covers such topics as zombies, history, global warming, Robocop, headbanging, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superman villians, alcohol, war, Armageddon, video games and being true to old school thrash metal, all with a great deal of humor in absolutely every single song too. The fun is only increased by the fact that vocalist Philly Byrne screechs, screams and hoots and howls in a variety of different ways and all of them tend to bring a smile to my face. It may seem like a novelty act due to this and perhaps it is, but why be grim and unhappy when you can just drink beer and be a happy little thrasher with your friends?!
Luke Grahan and Domo Dixon handle the guitars which as I already said are fast and relentless, but also totally crunchy and tight sounding while bassist Joe McGuigan keeps up and adds a wonderfully heavy tone to the album. It's important to point out that the songs are fairly short too with only three songs slightly over three minutes, but what makes all of this impressive is that these guys toss in so many riffs and solos in these short songs. Paul Caffrey also does his part behind the drum kit sounding tight as hell and quite complex in a few areas.
'Citizen Brain' is technically the bands second album although their first album, 'Survival of the Fastest' from 2005 was self-released and some of the songs from that record were re-recorded here for this Earache debut, which in my eyes kind of makes it more like their debut, especially with Survival being ultra limited in copies.
I've been playing this album for a few months now and I've constantly found this one to be an enjoyable release, as well I really need to get my hands on their other albums. In the end if raging fast thrash metal with a punky fun attitude that's got skilled musicians and great diverse vocals is your thing, then make Gama Bomb your thing too.
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