Cryptic Slaughter "Speak Your Peace" (1990)

Cryptic Slaughter are an American Crossover Thrash band from the 80s who had a very young line up, in terms of age, during in their short six year life span. They released four full length records, this being their last released in the same year that they split up. Their debut was released in 86 when some of the members were only 16 years old! Young bands are more common in today's freedom of access internet driven music scenes, back then it was rather a rarity. As a crossover band Cryptic Slaughter had more of a Thrash leaning on the guitars and drums, mixing up common techniques with Hardcore sounds too, the music themes and open mindedness of the record leans more so in the other direction. As a fan of both Hardcore Punk and Thrash Metal I was keen to give this one a listen, as I have heard the bands name mentioned by many reputable artists.

"Speak Their Peace" made its mark on me through its political, social and philosophical statements. There's a lot of observation and reflection apparent in the lyrics which make thoughtful points about the environment, society, ethics and a cynical criticism of the often overlooked issues in society. On the title track the line "I'm sick of hearing there is nothing we can do, I'm sick of hearing that nothing ever changes, well change changes, what we do gets done" really truck me. Brilliant denial of pessimistic attitudes. Its a rebellious soundtrack of alternative ideas that are rooted in logic and reason with a warm dose of compassion.

The instrumentals accompanying the angry shouting voice of injustice are also rather dense with substance and ideas. The tone is heavy in mood rather than texture with many riffs walking from one to the next, interlacing discords between moments of heaviness. The baselines don't shy away from the stage playing a big warm role jumping out between the silence of the distortion guitar and climbing the fret-board for higher notes too. In general it plays rather organically with each moment unraveling into the next, never settling still and continually moving into the next orchestrated riff section, occasionally throwing in half measures and often varying on repetitions.

It adds up to thirty three minutes of energetic, to the point Crossover that makes its point firmly. Its got attitude and a guitar style that sets it apart from other bands. Although its Thrash can be thrashy, and its Hardcore commonplace too its the continual meshing of the two ideas that roots it in a unique place. The recordings production is solid for the time, nothing is especially clear or sublime but each instrument fits into the mix so well, its a very balanced construct that lets the music do all the talking.

Favorite Tracks: Insanity By The Numbers, Speak Your Peace, Killing Time

Rating: 8/10

Havok "Time Is Up" (2011)

American Thrash Metal band Havok from Denver Colorado are part of the Thrash revival scene that's emerged in recent years. I caught them at Download Festival and picked up this, their second record, based on the inclusion of "D.O.A", dead on arrival, a song I remembered from their impressive live show. Just like you might wish for, Havok are a band that in the two decades since the genres peak haven't strayed from the path. They have however let modern production and Metal sound influence their aesthetic in terms of quality and clarity but when it comes to the music its as Thrash as it gets. Those years gone by have picked out the best attributes, techniques, riffs and thrown them together in what would undoubtedly been a masterpiece if released in the 80s. With crisp crunchy guitars and punchy drums Havok bring the best of the genre in what sounds to me like a cross between Slayer and Testament.

Starting with "Prepare For Attack" it doesn't take long for a blitz of base pedals and choppy temperate guitar riffs to raise the energy and create an atmosphere fit for circle pits and intense moshing. No messing around and straight to the point this album is forty minutes of pure Thrash and no filler! Without faulting from this path no song is particularly stands out or becomes truly remarkable, its strengths are in its continual consistency, never leting its foot of the gas. If you've got the iTunes edition there's an extra treat in store as the bonus track is a cover of Slayer's "Raining Blood" played with flawless precision at a higher tempo, a level of adrenaline maybe matched by the menacing riffs on "No Amnesty".

Each element at work is full throttle, the drums crisp, bold and punchy the snares gorgeous tone bursts through with a solid snappy punch and the pedals pack a meaty momentum as they loudly whirl swiftly like a mechanical backbone of brutality. They work intertwined with the palm muted and open string chugging guitars to create energetic momentum in the rhythm department. The guitars tone sounds squeezed with distortion as the fast choppy guitars shred away at fast speeds, when they break for cleaner leads the tone shows a softer side and I would say the lead guitars are most reminiscent of Megadeth guitar solos and sometimes vocally too. Singer Sanchez's narrow, throaty and slightly nasal voice has a classic vibe and in one song mimics the classic bellowing and high pitched scream of Tom Araya from Slayer.

In its purity the record often echos familiarity with classic bands of the era without encroaching their identity and the only thing besides production that sounds like a step forward are the gang shouts which slide into the fold brilliantly. All other aspects of the record are classic, no guitar technique or riff sounds far from the era but the recreational aspect plays it out to a stunning level. Extremely enjoyable record, as I said, would of been a classic if released in the 80s.

Favorite Tracks: No Amnesty, D.O.A

Rating: 8/10

Madball "Set It Off" (1994)

Madball are a Hardcore group from New York who formed in the late 80s and released this, their first album, in 1994, a post prime era for the Hardcore Punk / Crossover Thrash sound they deliver so boldly on this record. It exemplifies the energetic, attitude driven approach laid down by Hardcore bands in the 80s and delivers them in an easy to digest package that makes for a reasonable debut record.

In twenty six minutes Madball shred through 14 tracks of fist pumping, adrenaline soaked aggression. Focused tight palm mute crunching and power chord slamming, the guitars guide these songs to their grooves fit for mosh dancing. A ruthless atmosphere is built as the kit punches tight bouncy rhythms between the crisp snare and thudding base kick, the guitars delivering riff after riff of Hardcore fueled aggression. To no surprise the themes put across through Cricen's gruff shouts are of mental attitude. Pride, honor and respect, telling stories of personal betrayal, justice and the strength to deal with the hardships people put each other through.

The album starts of with a bang as their best songs slam down the thrashy aggressive dance friendly riffs to get you pumped and fired up with an attitude, dropping the tightest grooves and catchy shouts the record has to offer, as it stretches on the intensity loosens and songs get shorted, never quite reaching the energy and momentum the record starts with. Its a decent record, but only in its best moments.

Favorite Songs: Set It Off, Lockdown, New York City, Down By Law

Rating: 5/10