HARLOTT

THE REVIEW

Australian thrashers Harlott have returned after a six-year hiatus with their upcoming album, Exsequiis, set to release on September 11, 2026, via Metal Blade Records. Originally formed in 2006, this 5th instalment in their catalogue delivers an old-school thrash sound with a modern twist, drawing comparisons to Slayer, Exodus, and Warbringer. Overall, this record is rawer and heavier, with aggressive vocals that even border on death thrash.

The album opens with ‘Incipiam’, a cool, lighter intro that builds anticipation for the coming assault before track two, ‘Void’, explodes into fast, heavy thrash packed with massive riffs and blast beats. From there, ‘Messiah Simplex’ delivers a catchy thrash chug with an early Sepultura vibe and soaring guitars, while the early single ‘Trial By Liar’ pumps up the blood with its fist-pounding intro and speedy delivery. ‘The God That Knows No Name’ stands out as a live-show staple, transitioning from a slower-paced intro to a classic chug, followed by the relentless speed-metal rush of ‘Kleptogenesis’.

Continuing the momentum, ‘A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits’ brings a distinct Slayer energy anchored by heavy lead and background vocals, leading into ‘The Joyful Stain’, which features a soaring 1:50 guitar solo. ‘Endling’ rips open with a massive drum intro and mixes vocal styles with melodic accents, while ‘Vice Borne’ maintains that classic, old-school chug. The title track and closer, ‘Exsequiis’, starts ominously before exploding at 1:40, incorporating cool death metal beats in the middle to seal off a fast, heavy, and unrelenting listening experience.

THE VERDICT

To date in 2026, this is my favourite thrash release and will comfortably rank among my top albums of the year. Harlott sticks to their roots, blending an updated sound with classic thrash elements without straying from what they do best… they aren’t reinventing the wheel, just improving it.