Last week's release of Nightmare Logicby Texas crossover thrashers Power Trip couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Written and recorded with the 2016 election race as its foreboding backdrop, the album offers a dystopian vision that no one quite expected to come true. Channeling the Cro-Mags, Sepultura, Discharge, and Nuclear Assault through a fast-paced thrashing attack that takes a hit at right-wing Christianity, big pharma, and corporate greed—all the while pushing for direct action and the rise of people power— Nightmare Logic is the album we hoped we wouldn't need. But boy, do we need it now.
Power Trip's Riley Gale grew up in the Dallas hardcore scene listening to as much Sacrilege as he did Sick Of It All. With their second album, he and his bandmates have jumped into the heavy metal world full-throttle. Whether they're touring with Title Fight, Lamb of God, or Napalm Death, Power Trip is ready to spread their message of dissent and Gale knows it will be the fight of their lives. While their biggest problem used to be whether they were too punk for the metalheads, or too metal for the punks, there are now, as Riley says, "bigger fish to fry." This is a time for actions, not words.
I spoke to Gale as he was on his way to play a benefit show where all proceeds went toward a young cancer survivor's medical bills. He talks about scene unity, but challenges essential scene politics. He wants to stop preaching to the choir, but has to make careful decisions about touring with bands who don't share the same ideals. He is painfully aware of the dichotomy of fronting an outspoken thrash band as we stare into the abyss of the current political climate. But he also knows that if it's not now, it's when. And if it's not Power Trip, then who.
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