Various Artists

"16 Ripping Cuts of New-School Thrash" pretty well sums up this compilation, unless you want to nit pick and call it "16 Ripping Cuts of Old-School Thrash Played by Bands Made Up Mostly of Guys That Were Still Sitting in Their Own Shit When The Original Style Was In Full Swing." And I mean that in the most complimentary way. As a matter of fact, it is still hard to believe the sheer number of newer bands not only playing this style of vintage thrash metal, but also doing a fine job of it

It is virtually impossible for any true trash fan not to fall in love with this compilation. The quality remains high and everything from the guitar tone to the drumming style to the vocal patterns bleeds denim jackets and sewn patches. You already know the comparison bands (EXODUS, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, KREATOR, etc). The album's first half in particular is filled with monster jams by the likes of new-school-by-way-of-the-old-school heavyweights such as EVILE, MUNICIPAL WASTE, DEKAPITATOR, FUELED BY FIRE, WARBRINGER, and SSS. The album would damn near be worth the purchase price based on tracks 1 - 8 alone. Fortunately, the remainder of the disc fills out nicely with songs by West Coast thrash behemoths MERCILESS DEATH, Tampa's TOXIC HOLOCAUST, and England's SEND MORE PARAMEDICS. Incidentally, the liner notes include a succinct bio on each of the groups.

While I did not expect to be disappointed by this collection of tunes, I figured that I'd be sick and tired of the style by the 10th track or so. Instead, I was left impressed with just how well the momentum is carried right on through the last track and was ready to do it all over again, albeit with a keg of cheap beer. "Thrashing like a Maniac" is a blast from the past played by diehards in the present. You mean to tell me it's 2008 and this is the sound of metal? Who would have ever imagined it?