REVIEW: Disposable - It's Blood That Trickles Down

Thrash metal has long been the embodiment of speed, aggression, and unrelenting energy, standing as a defiant pillar within the heavy metal world. Rooted in blistering riffs, breakneck tempos, and a visceral attitude, the genre continues to evolve while remaining true to its rebellious core. In this tradition comes Disposable, a formidable thrash metal outfit hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland. Disposable delivers music with an intensity that rivals the genre's greats, blending old-school ferocity with a modern edge. Their latest effort, the upcoming album ‘It’s Blood That Trickles Down’, is a raw and unapologetic message against the injustice and corrupt powers found not just in the UK but around the globe. 

Before we even begin listening, the album catches our attention immediately and we’re drawn to the album cover designed by the band themselves, depicting various anthropomorphic figures of power looming over a board game while the people playing gamble their lives and possessions away. It’s a powerful image and message slating those in power, and gives a clear indication of the theme this album will dive deeper into. 

‘It’s Blood That Trickles Down’ starts off with a short intro track ‘40 Guns’ and, although less than a minute in length, it's a raw and punchy opener cut with snippets from US news on the state of gun control in the US. It’s fast, angry and unapologetic and entirely unwilling to break stride, as it seamlessly transitions into the next track ‘Snakes on Ladders’, a relentless thrash track blending speed with meaty breakdowns and a razor sharp vocal delivery. 

As we continue down the album's relentless path, each new track feels like an assault of speed and aggression that takes us back to the golden age of thrash with a very welcome modern edge. We reach the halfway mark with ‘Figured Out’, a protest against the ongoing war in Palestine, as the rapid instruments and harsh vocals fade out to be replaced with a call for freedom - a short but powerful track that stands out to stick with you as the album continues into the next track, ‘Complicit’. It's a hard hitting track on the repercussions of the Conservative government in the UK which delivers some of the strongest and most visceral vocals and breakdowns of the whole album. 

Finally, at the end of the album we are met with the closing track ‘Tough Guy’, Disposable's very own take on the Beastie Boys track. With Disposable's raw unfiltered sound, it transforms this already iconic track in new and fresh ways - no easy feat for a track nearly 30 years old - making it the perfect finish to this powerful and personal statement to the affairs around the world we all share.

Full of unflinching aggression from start to finish and raw razor sharp musicianship, ‘It’s Blood That Trickles Down’ is more than just a trash metal album; it’s a powerful political statement delivered with unfiltered rage and emotion. Tackling the pervasive threats of fascism, inequality and war on a global scale, Disposable channels their fury and own beliefs into a rallying cry for peace, freedom and justice. This is not just an album for headbangers and the pit lovers among us, but an album for anyone who values the power of music as a force for change. In a genre that is defined by its defiance, Disposable is a band to watch who are already standing out in the crowd and demanding to be heard.

‘It’s Blood That Trickles Down’ will be released independently on November 30th.

Words: Arcadia Craven