Album Review: Power Trip - Nightmare Logic

It’s been four years since Power Trip released their debut album, Manifest Decimation. Such a gap can be detrimental to the momentum of a growing band but the Dallas group seems to have stayed busy in that time gigging and putting out a few smaller scale releases. It also sounds like they’ve been fine tuning their particular brand of crossover thrash; Nightmare Logic not only proves superior to their debut but is already proving to be one of the strongest thrash albums in recent memory.

While Power Trip’s style is still somewhere between Bay Area thrash, hardcore, and the earliest death metal demos, they demonstrate a great deal of progress on Nightmare Logic. In addition to an endearingly muffled production job that recalls classic Scott Burns, there is a greater emphasis on mid-tempo riffs this time around. While this would raise fears of the band venturing into watered down groove territory, this incorporation helps build up tension on the lengthy intros throughout and make songs like “Waiting Around to Die” even more mosh-friendly.

Going along with that, the songwriting is quite catchy for a band with such grimy production and abrasive vocals. “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)” is the best track on here thanks to some good friendly violent fun that’s somewhere between Sepultura’s “Inner Self” and Exodus’s “Toxic Waltz.” The title track and “If Not Us Then Who” also stand out for matching militant deliveries with infectious chugs that recalls The Legacy-era Testament.

Overall, Nightmare Logic sees Power Trip climbing to the top of the modern thrash hierarchy with only the subtlest evolution on display. You’ve heard bands like this before and I’m sure their energy alone would be enough to make them be able to blow anybody else off stage, but the memorable songwriting is what makes them truly stand out in the scene. Nightmare Logic may not be an “important” game changer like any given Vektor album but you’ll have a hell of a time listening to it.

Highlights:
“Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)”
“Nightmare Logic”
“Waiting Around to Die”
“If Not Us Then Who”

Final Grade: A-