Third album from these Denver based young thrashers and one of my favorites when it comes to the next generation to follow in the footsteps of the Big 4, Testament, Overkill, Exodus, etc. Their last album “Time Is Up” is excellent, full of catchy riffs and vibrant concise energy with great production. My only issue(and it’s gonna be a deal breaker when coming down to longevity) with these newer thrash bands (Warbringer, Gama Bomb, Evile, Hatchet, Bonded By Blood, Lazarus A.D., Municipal Waste), its not easy to differentiate between who’s who because the singers are harsh, monotone, or yellers. David (who’s mostly a ruff vocal) from Havok kinda bypasses this in songs like ‘Waste of Life’ where he’s singing more and the band use melodic backing vocals for the chorus. * Notes: guys for the future, more singing, balance that with the harshness, think Chuck Billy (Testament).

‘I Am The State’ kicks things off in fine 80s fashion with a catchy riff/ raging rhythm section and a tempo change for the solo section Overkill and Exodus would be proud of. First single/video ‘Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death’ keeps the energy level high but precise, not too chaotic (an area some of these newer thrash bands lack in where the songs don’t have direction), with again a nice Slayeresque change in beat for the solo section. Havok know how to write fast and heavy while avoiding the flatline effect within an arrangement. ‘Is It True’, and ‘Under The Gun’ (those precise riffs broke up by the drums and bass are so Annihilator, nice job)are another one of Havok’s strengths, opting for a slower beat, still hitting hard, yet focusing on the catchy melody and lead work adding personality to the tune, qualities no doubt under the influence (lol, yes, pun intended) from Overkill. A nice one two punch. Good balance between the straight forward and change for the bridge in ‘Living Nightmare’. ‘Chasing The Edge’ again has this great upbeat energy and punch to the bass and delivery, nicely mid-tempo. ‘Children of the Grave’ is a faithful cover of the Sabbath classic and the closing title track is as devastating as is “Time Is Up” (loved all the sweeping in the solo) with more tasty shredding, sick.

More varied this time than “Time Is Up”, still as good and strong. Seems like Havok are taking the Megadeth (chose them instead of Metallica because Deth in recent years consistently do it better) approach to making their mark on thrash and trying not to make every album full on thrash through and through. Good for them.