Review: Quasarborn – Novo Oružje Protiv Bola

Style: Thrash metal, Progressive metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Revocation, Decapitated, Gojira
Review by: Francesco
Country: Serbia
Release date: 10 May, 2023

Dobro jutro! Quasarborn‘s nigh-unpronouncable third full-length Novo Oružje Protiv Bola (am I saying that right?) is also their first entirely Serbian language release and, being a sucker for bands singing in their native tongues, I knew I had to review it. Truly, I haven’t been able to stop listening to it despite the fact that I well know I have other reviews to write- so engaging is this album that I am stocking up on slivovica and making a concerted effort to learn Serbian so I can be on the next flight out to see them play in Belgrade.

From the eponymous first track, they’re redlining already. Novo Oružje‘s riffing is complex, speedy, and melodic. With certain tech death sensibilities, a sprinkle of black metal stylings, some groove metal flavouring and sections that are decidedly more punk inspired, Quasarborn are experts at keeping the tracks distinct while maintaining a consistent sound. Vocalist and guitarist Luka Matković uses a shouty vocal that’s complemented by his clean singing prevalent in the refrains, and punctuated by the occasional harsh vocal phrase. Said choruses are by and large the most melodic parts of the album; even without speaking the language you can’t help but sing along to the crazy catchy hook in “Voz” or bang your head to the tongue-twisting “Ne možeš imati sve” (try saying that five times fast).

On songs like “U plamenu”, guitar players Dimitrije Čurutilo and Luka riff in short rapid-fire bursts while making rhythmic use of unorthodox sounds like pick scrapes, and the harmonic squeaking of half-muted strings- on “Od kolevke do roda”, they introduce black metal-inspired tremolo and drummer Marko Danilović premieres blast beats- the album instrumental “Ogledalo” is a gradually changing piece that begins with moody, chorusy clean guitars, giving it an almost shoegaze feel before evolving into a heavy reverberant piece with lots of dissonance and aggressive drumming before fading out again, and the album closer “Postor-vreme” starts with some of Milos Tomasović’s bass-driven heaviness before introducing interesting Balkan instrumentation towards the end.

Novo Oružje Protiv Bola is a solid thrash album that hits high peaks with its dichotomy of catchiness and ferocity. There’s nothing lacking on this release, but I do think Quasarborn might’ve played it a bit safe with their arrangements; the instrumental “Ogledalo” and the closer “Postor-vreme” being their most “experimental” tracks on the album; and as skilled as they are I have complete faith they can write with a bit more nuance. The album maintains a pretty break-neck pace overall, however, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to check out what’s thrashin’ over on the Balkan peninsula. It’s thrash metal with a distinctly European flair!

Recommended tracks: Voz, Ne možeš imati sve, Novo oružje protiv bola
You may also like: Anarchy, VENUS, Condemned AD
Final verdict: 7/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives Page

Label: Independent

Quasarborn is:
– Luka Matković (vocals, guitar)
– Dimitrije Čurutilo (guitar)
– Milos Tomasović (bass)
– Marko Danilović (drums)