For those unaware, originally formed in 1981 in San Francisco, Trauma was part of the same scene that gave the world such thrash notables as Exodus, Metallica, and Testament.

And the band’s original bassist was none other than the late/legendary Cliff Burton (who would later join Metallica). 1984 saw the release of the group’s debut album, Scratch And Scream, before the band parted in 1985, but in 2013, Trauma reunited, and have been back in business ever since.

The group’s current line-up consists of singer Brian Allen (who replaced original vocalist Donny Hillier, who sadly passed away in 2020), Steve Robello (guitar), Joe Fraulob (guitar), Michael Spencer (bass), and Kris Gustofson (drums). – and soon, will be rocking the metal masses on their US tour with Queensr˙che and Marty Friedman.

Trauma’s latest album ‘Awakening,’ was issued this past September via Massacre Records, and the metal community has offered high praise for it, including Markus’ Heavy Music Blog saying, “‘Awakening’ convinces with power and enthusiasm,” Metal Temple adding, “The thrash they play is pure, the voice clean and the production sound,” and the This Day In Metal site stating, “It’s clear to see from their grand return after a 30 year silence that they are still very much so a driving force within the thrash metal scene and “Awakening” is the gateway to the thrashy glory they have always deserved.”

1. Walk Away
2. Death Of The Angel
3. Meat
4. The Red River
5. Burn
6. Falling Down
7. Voodoo
8. End Of Everything
9. Blind
10. Death Machine

This frenetically-charged album opens on the rad battle anthem Walk Away and the searing, yet melodic aggression of Death Of The Angel and then we get the scratch and scream of Meat, the all-out headbanger Red River, and then comes the angst-ridden, thunderous Burn.

The mood changes to rhythmically-driven, guitar-laden, pure metal on Falling Down, before reverting right back to their normal brand of death metal, the fist-clenched rock of Voodoo up next, then comes the wretchedly roaring End Of Everything, the album rounding out on the crashing Blind, closing on the powerful Death Machine.

TRAUMA - Walk Away (Official Video)

Official Purchase Link

Official Website

Trauma @ Facebook

Trauma @ Instagram