Meet Columbia's new thrash metal band, Thrashator
Columbia-based thrash metal band Thrashator has been making waves as of late. The thunderous and high octane style of their performances have made the group a standout in South Carolina’s music scene, netting them several dates in various cities.
One of Thrashator’s most unique properties is their recording process. Their debut EP Eternal Torment was recorded live in its entirety. No element of this EP was recorded and layered over the others. Their reason for taking this approach is the desire to create a more raw and authentic sound. Thashator’s choice to not take this approach is one that guitarist Tanner Davis believes makes their music more personal to the members of the band.
“Yeah, it might be a beautiful piece by the end of it– and it might still be a great track– but it’s not something that you might have put your heart and soul into,” Davis said.
Eternal Torment aided the band in winning “Battle of the Bands,” a band competition event hosted at New Brookland Tavern. Going head to head with other local bands at one of the oldest and most beloved live music venues in Columbia was a pivotal moment for Thrashator.
“Battle of the Bands” was the first time in 2023 where the band had played live, and doing so while presenting listeners with a new extended play and a new bassist was even more daunting. The positive reception they received here meant a lot to Thrashator, especially with this being a showcase moment for Eternal Torment. The band’s bassist, Elliot Rurey, found this to be a euphoric experience.
“It’s like the most hardcore drug kind of feeling ever,” Rurey said. “It’s very gratifying because you sit in a room and practice every day. And it’s finally time to go out and be able to play it for people.”
When not performing venue events, Thrashator is often performing at various house shows. These settings, although smaller, hold much meaning to the band. The sense of community fostered through the gathering of a smaller group of people is a tight knit one, which the band members appreciate.
“It’s more of a community there because it’s like 30, 40 people in the pit all moshing.” Rurey said. “So by the end of the concert you know everybody’s name and you talk to them for at least 10 minutes.”
“And they all bought your patches and t-shirts,” Davis added. “It’s a show– I wouldn’t say (it’s) like for the freaks and geeks– but it’s for the hardcore crowd.”
Thrashator plans on making their next project to be more polished, while still maintaining the rawness the live recording allows for. With their bassist more integrated, as he had recently joined when Eternal Torment was recorded, the band’s chemistry will have improved by the time of their next release. This coupled with more experience performing and making music, bodes well for Thrashator’s future.
With their new single ‘Perfected Dead,’ the band looks to show listeners the improvements they’ve made, while remaining true to their sound.
Micheal Jacobs III is a staff writer for The Palmetto. He thinks Jordan versus Lebron is the most overrated debate ever. His main focuses are music, basketball, and combat sports. If you have a comment or tip for Micheal, feel free to contact him on social media or through email.
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