‘Last Stand’ comes out swinging. From the opening riff, Deceased sound like they mean business, kicking the door in with a proper Crossover Thrash attack that gets straight to the point. After following this Singapore outfit for some time, it is good to hear them sounding this confident and fired up.
Following 2020’s ‘The Void Of No Return’, this full length feels like a natural progression without losing what made the earlier material work. The guitars carry plenty of Thrash bite while the Hardcore influence remains all over the record, particularly in the rhythmic feel and Amie’s aggressive vocal delivery. There is a good balance between speed, groove and those heavier sections that give the songs plenty of movement.
The already released ‘Sword Of The Almighty’ is a strong example of what Deceased are doing here. It hits hard, moves quickly and has that unmistakable Crossover feel without becoming another generic Thrash throwback. The same energy carries through the rest of the album, and there is a nice sense that the band have really settled into their own identity.
Amie’s vocals are another highlight. They have that rough Hardcore character that fits Deceased far better than some polished metal approach would. The guitars stay aggressive without becoming unnecessarily technical, while the bass and drums keep everything tight and moving. The production also gives the record enough punch without taking away the underground character.
What I like about Deceased is that they don’t seem interested in pretending to be something they’re not. There is a genuine Singapore Hardcore influence running through ‘Last Stand’, but the Thrash side is equally important. That combination gives the album its character and stops it from sounding like another band simply copying the current Crossover trend.
Compared with ‘The Void Of No Return’, there is a noticeable sense of confidence here. The songs feel more settled and the whole album comes across as a band that knows exactly where it sits within the Singapore underground.
‘Last Stand’ is a fucking banger. It’s fast, aggressive, catchy in the right places and carries enough Hardcore attitude to keep the whole thing from becoming predictable. Deceased have delivered a strong full length that deserves to be played loud, preferably with the neighbours getting involved whether they like it or not.
For Singapore Crossover Thrash, this is a solid one.
