• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Septagon is a new band from Germany composed of a couple of current and past members of Lanfear and Markus Becker, the vocalist from Atlantean Kodex. The style of the band's debut, Deadhead Syndicate, is a Power/Thrash mix that features some wonderfully catchy choruses and doesn't skimp on the melody. It took me a while to recognize Becker in this setting of tight riffing, acrobatic solos and more "real life" lyrical themes but he comports himself quite well. The way the choruses and vocal lines are worked into "Exit...Gunfire" and "Ripper" reminds me of Spreading the Disease/Among the Living Anthrax. Then you have the alien abduction theme of "Septagon Conspiracy" that, along with some frantic double-kick drums and tight twin-guitar work, evokes early Agent Steel. The sharply angular logo and Repka-esque cover art complete the picture.

Deadhead Syndicate is a bit of a grower and it took me a few spins before it opened up but once it did I was hooked. Septagon are aiming for an underrepresented stripe of classic Thrash and essentially hit the nail on the head.