Oh boy, are you guys ready for some thrilling news? 🤩 I just can’t contain my excitement… U.K. thrash veterans XENTRIX have released the official music video for the title track of their upcoming album, “Allied With The Enemy”! 😴 I mean, who doesn’t love a good thrash metal song to get them pumped up for the day? The LP will be made available on October 30 via Listenable, because you know, the world was just missing some good old-fashioned thrash metal. Speaking of which, what’s the point of even having a music industry if we can’t have XENTRIX releasing new music? 🤷♂️
The band commented on the new song, saying: “‘Allied With The Enemy’ track was the last one we did for the album, we didn’t actually need any more for it at the time but then funnily enough, as it turned out, it soon became the album title track and first choice for a single release.” Wow, what a thrilling story behind the song. I bet you’re all on the edge of your seats wondering how they came up with such a masterpiece. The general theme of the song is: ‘What if the biggest betrayal wasn’t just someone turning against you, but you being inadvertently turned to betray yourself?’ Deep, right? It’s like they’re trying to make us think or something. Lyrically, it’s written in a horror styling/slant with a subtle reference to the premise of the ‘Alien’ films. Because, you know, horror and metal go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly.
XENTRIX: The Thrash Metal Heroes We Never Knew We Needed
“Allied With The Enemy” was previously described in a press release as a ten-track barrage that marks XENTRIX’s most uncompromising statement to date. Following the critical acclaim of 2022’s “Seven Words”, the band push harder, darker and sharper, delivering a record that refuses to pull its punches. Oh, I’m shaking in my boots just thinking about how hard and dark this album is going to be. I mean, who needs feelings or emotions when you can just have face-melting guitar riffs and pounding drums? Recorded from late 2025 into 2026 at Backstage Studios, England, the album once again benefits from the elite production of Andy Sneap, whose precision and power elevate the band’s heaviest material yet. Because, you know, production quality is everything when it comes to metal music.
The striking artwork, created by U.K. artist Dan Goldsworthy, completes a package set for worldwide release later this year through Listenable Records. I’m sure the artwork is just as thrilling as the music itself. I mean, who doesn’t love a good album cover to stare at while they’re headbanging to the music? Musically, “Allied With The Enemy” is XENTRIX at full force — melodic when it chooses to be, atmospheric when it needs to be, and absolutely crushing when it wants to be. It brings the metal back into thrash, kicking out the trash and doubling down on the band’s signature bite. Wow, I’m so tired of all the trash in thrash metal. Thanks, XENTRIX, for saving the genre from itself.
But Wait, There’s More!
Lyrically, the album cuts with intent. Themes of disinformation, blind popularity, social and personal collapse, and self-bias run through the record with clarity and conviction. This is not light listening — it’s music that demands attention and rewards those who want something to think about. Oh, great, just what I wanted: music that makes me think. Can’t I just have some mindless, catchy tunes to sing along to? But hey, at least XENTRIX is trying to make a statement, right? If you crave thrash with purpose, weight and intelligence, “Allied With the Enemy” is ready to take your head off. Or not. I mean, it’s not like you have a choice or anything.
The band is set to embark on the “Cross Atlantic Carnage” U.K. tour with NERVOSA, because what’s a metal tour without a bunch of angry, sweaty people moshing together? The tour dates are as follows: Nov. 18 – Bradford – Nightrain, Nov. 19 – Manchester – Academy 3, Nov. 21 – Dublin – Opium, Nov. 22 – Belfast – Limelight 2, Nov. 24 – Glasgow – Audio, Nov. 25 – Nottingham Rescue Rooms, Nov. 26 – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach, Nov. 28 – London – The Dome, Nov. 29 – Southampton – 1865. Don’t miss out on the excitement! Or do, I won’t judge you.
XENTRIX is comprised of Jay Walsh – Vocals/Guitar, Kristian Havard – Guitar, Chris Shires – Bass, and Dennis Gasser – Drums. Because, you know, it’s not like they’re a faceless, nameless entity or anything. In July 2017, XENTRIX parted ways with guitarist/vocalist Chris Astley and have replaced him with Jay Walsh (BULL-RIFF STAMPEDE). Wow, what a thrilling piece of trivia. I bet you’re all just fascinated by the band’s history and lineup changes.
Originally thrust into the public eye in the late ’80s after their demo received a five-K review in Kerrang!, which in turn caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, XENTRIX soon found themselves in the studio making “Shattered Existence”. Oh, the nostalgia is just pouring in. Who doesn’t love a good story about a band’s rise to fame? Of course, their now-infamous cover of “Ghostbusters” remains a firm favorite with fans old and new, as does the band’s phenomenal second album, “For Whose Advantage?”, which is regarded as a bonafide thrash classic. Because, you know, who doesn’t love a good Ghostbusters cover?
The band went onto enjoy a short-but-successful career that saw them share stages with SLAYER, TESTAMENT, SEPULTURA, ANNIHILATOR, SABBAT, TANKARD, and SKYCLAD before calling it a day in 1996, having become disillusioned with the U.K. metal scene. Wow, what a sad story. I’m sure they’re all just thrilled to be back together and making music again. XENTRIX released four albums on Roadrunner Records: “Shattered Existence” (1989), “For Whose Advantage” (1990), “Dilute to Taste” (1991), and “Kin” (1992). Because, you know, discography is everything when it comes to metal bands.
In conclusion, XENTRIX is back and better than ever, with their new album “Allied With The Enemy” set to take the metal world by storm. Or not. I mean, it’s not like they’re going to change the face of metal music or anything. But hey, at least they’re trying, right? So, go ahead and check out their new music video and get ready to have your face melted by some good old-fashioned thrash metal. Or don’t. I won’t judge you. 😴
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
