Hidden Intent - Terrorform

Hidden Intent are a 3-piece thrash band from Adelaide, Australia who have just released their fourth album, Terrorform, which is a clever play on terraform, meaning the transformation of a planet to support life. With that idea, the listener should expect something a little more deeper than the pub thrash moniker that Hidden Intent are known for in Australia, and they get it.

The artwork is also an accurate signifier that Hidden Intent have expanded their scope on Terrorform. The image is noticeably darker and more intense than previous album covers - there are no Crocodiles or Koala Bears (drop bears) to be seen.

Hidden Intent began in 2011, with vocalist and bassist Chris McEwen Joining forces with Desert Eagle guitarist Phil Bennett and drummer Jay Rahaley, who would later be replaced by Paul Lewis; Paul also handles current production duties. The band’s earlier material was straight forward Bay Area inspired thrash with a distinct Australian flavour, especially in attitude and lyrical content, refer to “Drop Bears Are  Real” from Fear, Prey, Demise (2018). Terrorform sees Hidden Intent expand their songwriting and sound. Terrorform sounds massive. The mixing and mastering was handled by Dennis Koehe (Exumer, Sodom, Lacuna Coil), and his job here ensured that everything is huge and hard hitting, even the more melodic moments. His balance is impressive, because it doesn’t sound overproduced or too clean and clipped. The guitars and bass are loud, and the drumming packs a serious cum punch.

Chris’s vocal range and style has improved significantly over the years. From the early Halford/Dickinson days, on Terrorform I can hear him channelling Lemmy on “Killfatuation,” and “One More for the Road” is a poignant power ballad. Lyrically, the album is hitting dark and deep areas of the human psyche, the current toxic landscape and where we find ourselves with the present and the future.

From the first few seconds of the instrumental introduction that is “Paradoxx,” it is clear that Hidden Intent has made a different sounding album than its predecessors. Paradoxx is a sombre and expansive soundscape that gradually builds in tension and explodes after a minute and twenty seconds into “The Ruins.” I hear early Machine Head vibes here. This is still very much an album rooted in thrash, but a track like “The Ruins” showcases a more wider and brutal Hidden Intent. Chris sings, “lost in the haze or darkness and light.” And “feed us with lies.”

Hidden Intent spent much more time on Terrorform than any other recording they have done, and it shows. The level of craft and nuance on display is impressive, especially for a band that recorded their debut album in a couple of weeks. Terrorform is a mature sounding record packed full of darkness, depth and variation. It is also an album that gets better with each listen, and that is an important quality.

“Cum Punch” is the Aussie pub thrash/slang moment here, but it is spiteful at the same time. “Cursed and Bound” has a subtle thrash/punk vibe and “The Loss” is a rather beautiful and introspective acoustic interlude. “Dyssomnia” is huge, and the riffs will open the mosh pit and swallow the stage. A lot of Terrorform will go down very well on the festival circuit. “Reaper” is the final track and it is perhaps the darkest moment on the album, but it still rocks with sinister momentum.

I am excited to see where Hidden Intent go next. They have a lengthy touring cycle ahead of them for this, and it is well deserved. Terrorform is a huge step up in songwriting, production and quality. I have nothing negative to write about this one. Recommended for anyone that loves Bay Area/modern thrash with some added brutality and variation.