dan's jams - music reviews

Fantastic thrash/crossover album. I haven't heard an album this good at that genre since it was pioneered and mined by it's inventors, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Nuclear Assault, and bands of that ilk. In fact, the lead vocals on this album seem to bounce back and forth between being heavily influenced by both DRI and Nuclear Assault's singers. If you ever loved that stuff, and I did, this is a must-have. Even the short, direct, no-bullshit song structures are right in line with these comparisons: 15 songs clocking in at just over 26 minutes, no song longer than 2:38.

The primary place they differ is in production. This album is far clearer and well-mixed than anything any crossover title from the late 80's. Thank technology for that, I would imagine; the mix is so well-done and precise that there are times when it sounds like they actually tried to muddy-up their playing a bit just to keep it from sounding too produced. The musicianship is outstanding, the songs are all strong, and the freedom and carelessness of speedy crossover thrash flows.

They even included a cut-out polaroid montage in the cd liner notes like some of those early thrash bands usd to do (Anthrax and S.O.D.). It's like walking down memory lane but it doesn't make me feel old, which is quite bonus.