The Ones I Condemn has arrived at last, another of those successful thrash 'comeback' albums which will leave your head spinning. Not only does it feel like Canada's cult thrash act retains all the vigor of their youth, but the energy on this album possibly exceeds that of their previous efforts. It's a great new album, and one of the best thrashings I've had recently, well on par with Apocalypse Inside or Soldiers of Misfortune.16 years have not stripped away this band's penchant for snarling, mean sounding thrash metal, an approach not always the easiest to pull off. Their sound has always come across as the Canadian sibling to bands like Slayer, Exodus, Vio-Lence and Sadus: cruel vocals that deliver their message with aplomb, bursts of hook-laden guitars and a quickened pulse that would even have hardcore fans raising their fists in fury. "The Ones I Condemn", "Give Me Justice", and "Hiroshima" are all steamrollers of frenzy inducing 80s fury: listen loud, listen often. "The Devil's Martyr" nearly broke my neck, the vocals are wild and punishing, filthy and mean. "Ultimate Power Corrupts" features excellent old school rhythms, and for bonus kicks there are re-recorded version of "Burned at the Stake" (Torment in Fire) and "The Entity" (Forward to Termination).
From a production standpoint, the new album sounds a lot like their 90s output, but slightly better; but the writing more closely mimics their earlier efforts. It's really the best of both worlds, and if you've enjoyed any of their past four records then it's a given you should track this down. I know the 'comeback' album is quite a cliche these past 5-10 years, but I'm always happy to hear it done well. Sacrifice is successful in this. Now, if only Razor would put out a good new album...I would be complete.
Verdict: Win [8/10]
http://www.myspace.com/sacrificecanada
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