Havok - Burn (2009)

The retro thrash/speed metal scene continues to expand and explode here in the USA. At its core: a rabid new generation of 80s worshiping, hi-top sporting maniacs. All but a few arrive with little more than wishful thoughts and an exaggerated sense of nostalgia. Then there are those who really 'get it' and release albums like this one, Burn, debut from Colorado's Havok (naught to do with the German and Swedish death metal bands of the same name). This is no significant contribution to the genre, but it's a well balanced attack and far superior to many of their flash-in-the-pan peers.

Burn is a crisp and punchy debut effort following up a short series of demos and EPs. A lot of the material here is from those prior releases but reworked, and it all sounds good. Had this released in its 'spiritual' decade of origin, the 80s, it'd be the type of album the Bay Area thrash connoisseurs would devour on a Friday night while throwing empty beer cans at poseurs. That isn't to say Havok fuck around, you will not find the corny (and not at all entertaining) lyrics here. These guys have things to sing about aside from beer and 'thrash' itself, and for that I am grateful. As for influences, I believe I already covered this, but you'll hear some Exodus, Megadeth, early Metallica and Testament. Like some of these bands, they've tastefully incorporated the occasional use of acoustics (intro) and a lot of charging melodic hooks in addition to the thrashier riffing. Vocal/guitar-slinger David Sanchez has a hybrid of grit and squeal not unlike a mixture of Chuck Billy, Schmier and Zetro.

There isn't a single track on Burn which fails to deliver consistent songwriting and a few riffs sure to quicken the blood and move the neck into its jackhammering position. I personally enjoyed the frenzied hooks of "Ivory Tower" and "The Disease", but at no point was I moved to skip a track when listening through. Talented but reined in tightly, the riffs are complex enough to keep a guitar fan interested and the leads tend towards memorable. The production is great, good enough for the present but entirely representative of the Golden Decade. I'm glad to see this band hook up with Candlelight Records. Though they offer nothing new in the grand scheme, they're one of the better 'new is old' school thrash metal contenders here in the States and deserve some exposure.

Verdict: Win [7.5/10]

http://www.myspace.com/havok