The music to me, seems to draw a fine line between thrash and melodic death, but as you've already noticed, I've chosen to categorize it as thrash. Please note that this is only because I felt the need to choose one or the other and that the band really does have strong melodic death influences. The album opens up with a meaningless atmospheric track (I just can't help but complain about these) but thankfully it only lasts all of 50 seconds. The next track is the true beginning of the album, and I must commend the consistency. It never really lets up, its pretty much an all out thrash assault from the very first (first real) track on the album. The guitar riffs are both rhythmically and melodically astounding and I find myself head banging through more than 75% of the album, which is something I certainly can't say for most albums. Thank god for the scarce use of the keyboards too! Keyboards can be really cool and add so much to a song, but only if they're used intelligently! I couldn't even begin to count the number of bands that are overusing their keyboards nowadays, but finally, a band that uses them only when it sounds really great. I completely respect that. "Kicking Ahead" is a perfect example of this. The keyboards break things up nicely and add a new element to the song, but they never become overpowering or overused. And on that note, "Addicted Soul" is a great track to put at the ending because it really does seem to draw things to a close even though the actual track ending is rather abrupt. The stand out tracks on the album are definitely "Believer" and "Insanity Arise," the latter being the most appropriate example of the bands wonderful technical riffing. What a kick ass album! I highly recommend this, and seriously can't wait to hear more. Go out and get this, no matter what type of metal is your favorite!

written by Sam Warren

Playing time: 37.01