Italy’s Spoiled has been through the wringer, but instead of letting setbacks slow them down, they’ve come back swinging with 'Collapse', their first full-length album. This isn’t just a continuation of what they’ve done before - it’s a statement. Fifteen tracks of pure crossover thrash chaos, played at blistering speeds and packed with enough aggression to start a riot. The album is dropping as a jewel case CD, complete with an 8-page booklet, thanks to Portuguese labels Gruesome Records and Selvajaria Records - and with recording handled at the legendary 16th Cellar Studio (known for some of extreme metal’s heaviest hitters), you already know it’s going to sound absolutely lethal. If you like your thrash served at 250 BPM with a sneer, Spoiled’s got you covered.
The album’s lead single 'Zombie Hunters' came out swinging, setting the tone for 'Collapse' in just over a minute of unfiltered carnage. The band describes it as a critique of substance abuse, and it hits with all the subtlety of a bottle smashing over your head. It doesn’t waste a second - machine-gun drumming and frantic riffing drive everything forward, with the guitars mimicking the restless, unpredictable energy of a high. Danny Boy’s vocals are packed with venom, spitting out lines that make it clear he wants nothing to do with the chaos of addiction. It’s a short, sharp burst of frustration - fast, brutal, and completely uncompromising.
Then there’s the title track, which feels like the album’s mission statement distilled into two minutes of pure destruction. There’s no build-up, no easing in - just an immediate onslaught of speed-picked riffs that slice through the mix like a rusted blade. The drums are a full-force battering ram, relentless in their assault, while the guitars rip through thrash-fueled patterns that wouldn’t feel out of place on an early D.R.I. record. Danny Boy is at his most feral here, spitting out lyrics with a frantic urgency that matches the song’s breakneck pace. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to break something - or at least throw yourself headfirst into the nearest pit.
'Rotting Sun' is pure chaos from the first note, refusing to slow down for even a second. This track doubles down on the mayhem with some of the most unhinged riffing on the album. The guitars twist and turn at breakneck speed, riding on top of a percussive assault that barely lets up for a second. There’s a real sense of urgency here, with everything feeling like it’s constantly on the verge of total collapse - but that’s where Spoiled thrives. It’s an all-out crossover thrash assault, tailor-made for violent, beer-soaked mosh pits.
As a whole, Collapse doesn’t just keep the energy high - it barely lets you catch your breath. Spoiled knows exactly what they’re about, and they’re not here to reinvent the wheel. But honestly? They don’t need to. The riffs are razor-sharp, the drumming is relentless, and every song feels like it’s sprinting towards total obliteration. Given the band’s turbulent journey, this album isn’t just a collection of thrash anthems - it’s a battle cry. Crossover thrash has been making a serious resurgence lately, and Spoiled has just staked their claim as a band worth paying attention to. If you’re in the market for a record that hits fast, hard, and without an ounce of mercy, 'Collapse' is exactly what you need.
Score: 7/10
'Collapse' will be released on February 27th 2025 via Gruesome Records and Selvajaria Recordings.
Words: Jason De Mendonca
Photos: Spoiled
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