heavy-metal-darkness: Drain Down | Defiance

Friday, October 31, 2025

Drain Down | Defiance | Kernkraftritter Records

Release Date: 25 April 2025

Format: Digital, CD

Genre: Thrash Metal

Country: Germany

Founded in 2018 in Freiburg, Drain Down mix the aggression of thrash metal with the street energy of hardcore and the raw nerve of punk. Their first statement came with the EP “Use Your Brain” in 2018, followed by a European tour with The Exploited that sharpened their live presence and attitude. The debut album “Defiance” arrived in 2021, with “Toxic Society” in 2024 confirming their commitment to politically charged thrashcore. Now, with “Mental Pollution”, the trio continue to attack modern decay with even tighter precision and sharper intent. Recorded again at Iguana Studios, this time guitarist Heiko Kratz takes over the main vocals, adding a more direct punch to their social commentary.

“Mental Pollution” rips forward with a sense of urgency and anger that fits its title perfectly. The guitars bite hard, the bass grinds underneath, and the drums keep a pace that borders on chaos without losing control. Kratz’s vocal delivery has a raw, honest edge that works well with the band’s themes of corruption, betrayal and societal collapse. There’s a balance between thrash aggression and hardcore directness that keeps the energy high. The songs hit fast and straight, without long buildups or filler moments, and the production gives everything the necessary punch to stay impactful.

What makes the album work is its spirit. Drain Down sounds like a band with a clear purpose, to throw their frustration back at a world gone wrong through riffs and sweat. The mix of metallic precision and punk tension feels natural to them, and that’s where their strength lies. There’s no attempt to overcomplicate or dress things up; it’s raw thrashcore with conviction, the kind that works best in dark clubs and crowded pits.

“Mental Pollution” isn’t about surprise, it’s about impact. It captures the rough, live energy that defines the band and channels it through songs built for movement and release. The production stays true to the underground roots while giving enough punch to make each riff land hard. Drain Down have delivered a record that’s honest to their identity, furious, socially aware, and relentless.

Score: 7.0