Hatriot - Heroes of Origin

Holy shit, it's like somebody aimed the Tardis at San Francisco, circa 1983. Too nerdy a reference for metalheads?Thrash fans are no doubt familiar with Steve Souza, who has fronted many a headbanging West Coast outfit (Legacy/Testament, Exodus, Dublin Death Patrol) since the early 80s. So it should be no great surprise that he's up to his old tricks with yet another band in the form of Hatriot, whose debut album Heroes of Origin runs the classic thrash playbook step by step into the pit.

If you're familiar with the aforementioned thrash groups then you know exactly what to expect - which may thrill or disappoint you depending on how you want to see it. I for one love it. This is the classic Bay Area thrash sound and I couldn't be more thrilled with every blast beat and harmonic squeal behind Souza's Bon Scott-meets-Jon Oliva-on-PCP vocals replete with sociopolitical commentary. It's just that simple. Go get this!

The Bottom Line: If you're a Bay Area Thrash Band era kind of guy (or gal), you'll want to pick up this album, put on your faded stovepipes, lace up your Chucks, and crank the fuck out of this! From brutal start to anthemic finish, the energy just never lets up.

Tracks To Gleefully Risk Snapping Your Neck To: Blood Stained Wings, The Mechanics of Annihilation, Heroes of Origin (and all of the other tracks!)

- Genghis scared everyone in the office headbanging to this CD like a maniac...