Tenet – Sovereign

Three-fifths of Strapping Young Lad, including guitarist/Tenet mastermind Jad Simon and drummer Gene Hoglan (ex-Dark Angel), alongside Forbidden guitarist Glen Alvalais and one-time Exodus frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza: sounds like something of a thrash supergroup! Souza has rarely sounded as vicious as on the opening ‘Being And Nothingness’. Surrounded by wild guitar runs and hammering drums, what’s not to love? It’s really the lone number of that variety, as progressing on, to ‘Indulge Me’, the Ex-odus throat is recognizable thereafter. Gang vocals characterize the chorus of ‘Take A Long Line’, while whispered backing haunts ‘Going Down’.

A classic Bay area thrash sounding album (even though Simon began in the Canadian Northwest and spent time in Philadelphia). Might be particularly interesting for classic Exodus fans put off by the rougher approach Gary Holt has taken with that outfit.