The fall of the millennium saw the rise of many a metal bands all over India, bands that encapsulated the spirit of raw and high-energy heavy metal with perfection. These bands inculcated a sense of pure metal-head ecstasy in the willing crowds that thronged their shows and also bought their CD’s, thanks to widespread promotion by a few music channels. With their rise to prominence came the tough part-sustenance. Most ended up disbanding due to a plethora of reasons, ranging from a lack of backing to indifference among the members. Parrying all these, and a hibernation that was due to the band members’ family commitments, SCEPTRE, one of India’s oldest thrash metal bands, are back with a bang YES!

Formed in 1998 from what was a quartet of like-minded friends jamming to kill time, SCEPTRE shot into the limelight as one of India’s path-breaking thrash bands when they won the Independence Rock festival in 2003. With their infectious energy and the rare connection shared with their audience, SCEPTRE had a lot going for them in terms of fan base, gig tours and tentative recordings when they had to disband due to the bassist Janus Sayal leaving for the U.S.A and long standing vocalist Teemeer Chimulkar quitting due to personal reasons. With the return of Janus and the addition of Samron Jude on vocals, SCEPTRE cut their first album ‘Now or Never’ in 2008, although a titular EP had come out right when they started out. And now, after yet another hiatus, ‘Age Of Calamity’ is here to mesmerize the thrasher in us.

The track-listing clocks just under 40 minutes, with all 10 tracks seemingly different from one another, something not all that common amongst thrash bands. What intrigues, and is hopefully to the likes of the listeners are the inclusions of the tracks ‘Solitude’ and ‘Judgement Day (End-A New Beginning)’. Both tracks are gloomy and ambient, with a hint of deep bass and haunting strings, coupled with the occasional muffled vocal chants of random happenings, serve as brilliant interludes for what otherwise is a downright pristine thrash album. The title track and the ones like ‘Parasites (Of The State)’ and ‘Lake Of The Traitor’ make the band’s intent clear, that to provide an one-off stirring experience. Regular thrash tracks like ‘Prophesy Deceit’ and ‘Wrath Of God’ combine the quintessential breakdown riffing and glaring vocals with brutal drumming one expects from such an album, proving to be quite the head-banger’s treat. The literal icing on the cake is the final track ‘Lest We Forget’, a stand-out among the others in the album that simply elucidates what the band is capable of- mind-blowing shreds , effervescent solos, vicious vocals at varying pitches and insane drumming.

On the whole, the album is a sure shot success considering the pre-release hype and given, SCEPTRE’s history. Speaking of their history, I’m sure I’m not the only one praying that they don’t go on yet another break and continue dishing out music. Also this one is for the thinkers, with the title and the cover art pretty much hinting at the dawn of ‘Kali Yuga’, the mythical Indian period where vice takes over man. SCEPTRE have aptly named their album, considering all the downfalls in society, increase in felony and most importantly, humans turning against each other without realizing they are one. So what the band might be hinting at is KEEP CALM AND THRASH ON.

RATING :- 7/10