The accompanying press release states that Extinction Agenda “formed out of a mutual passion for classic Thrash and Speed Metal, and a hatred for trend.” Hell, yeah! The band is said to “channel elements of early Slayer, Venom, ... Exodus, and Kreator into a modern medium.” I think they’ve nailed their influences plainly enough, although they didn’t bother to mention increasing the octane or speed!

Maybe it’s just me, but I hear a whole lot of Sadus’s brand of aggressive Thrash in this, particularly on the second track. Of course, I rather love Sadus and think not enough other people do. That anecdote aside, clear debts to Slayer are definitely present, most notably in the second half of the final song offered here for sacrifice.

Only two sick bastards (Voltanix [nee Scott DeFusco], formerly of December Wolves, and Iconslaughter, of several other bands) were responsible for the killer nastiness on this demo, though a third (Brian Oblivion, also of the late December Wolves) has since been added to the fold. Get a bass player, boys, and you’ll surely be in business.

For a demo, the sound quality is exceptional. The drumming is noteworthy in its all-out Thrash assault. The guitars riff right out of Hell and the vocals shred like it was 1985. This demo is no doubt being shopped to record labels and I hope it’s successful in its task, as well it should be. I can’t believe it’s only ~10 minutes long.... What’s next?

Send 'em $5 and get yourself a copy of this sickness. Seriously. And tell 'em Tony @ Tartarean Desire sentcha....

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 9.52