Style: death metal, thrash
Label: self-released
Year: 2012
Home: Britain
Members: Michael J Felder ~ guitars/vocals
Chris Morgan ~ bass/drum programming
Hailing original from San Diego, guitarist Michael Felder built up a reputation with a handful of metal bands, particularly RDK, getting the chance to open for Death, Testament, Korn, Metallica, Exodus, Slaughter, Quiet Riot with the late Kevin DuBrow, Vince Neal, amongst others. But, recordings were few & struggled under the old story of limited funds & poor facilities, if not just lack of experience. While major name recognition regularly retreated back into the dream world. Relocating to Britain to start a new life & a family Felder now comes out of his self-imposed seclusion with his new outing ATS. Essentially a one man gig ATS features bassist/keyboard drum programmer Chris Morgan on their debut EP. Tired of dealing with unstable band line-ups Felder decided to now handle the vocal duties himself, alongside composing & churning out the riffs on his seven string guitar. Perhaps to Felder's surprise, the first thing I notice on his new musical black metal meets thrash journey is the lyrics ... which for such a thrashy onslaught are often the last thing I care about or can understand between the growls. Felder growls in "Let Freedom Ring": "I can't believe the lies/I can't believe my eyes ... let freedom ring." There's a socially conscious attitude that pulls the music up from just being generic thrash metal. I'm reminded of the similar sounding California outfit the Militants with vocalist Charlie Z who also aim for strong meaning over good rhymes &, like Felder, growls just enough to sound painful but not make it indecipherable. Not understanding what's being said is a great way for this reviewer to move on down he road. Though he might be alone Felder layers out the guitars making ATS sound like a full band. "No Mercy" goes for a more traditional Slayer approach with a more vibrant arrangement & the venom given an extra drip into the bite wound. While the simply named "Conflict" continues the social theme with some great distorted vocals at the beginning over a hypnotic guitar charge. Albeit, three songs just begin to scratch the surface of what a musician can do. I'd be interested in hearing Felder carry out his creativity in new directions in a full-blown release.
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