This marks the band's first album with Seven Spires drummer Chris Dovas, whose youthful exuberance gets the job done, even though you might prefer Gene Hoglan. Bassist Steve Di Giorgio, who goes back to "The Gathering," returns as well. From the first song, I can already tell this is going to be a better album than the new Dark Angel. The emphasis on the first two songs is on a rapid-fire style of thrashing that finds the band not leaning into their more signature groove until "Shadow People". In this mode, they make the most of Chuck Billy's powerful voice, which is also capable of melody, and has been one of the signature staples that set the band apart from the pack.
Four songs in seems a little soon for a power ballad, but that is what you are getting for "Meant to Be," making me wonder why they are trying to write their "Unforgiven" 30 years late. Of course, Alex's solo rips, and maybe that is all you need. To compensate for this, they take things back to the more "Demoniac" school of heaviness that holds up against all definitions of what heavy is today. "Witch Hunt" steps on the gas to bring out the 80s thrash feel, not heard since "Disciples of the Watch". The more melodic vocal moments, while sparse, work well.
"Nature of the Beast" has Van Halen-like guitar work, and Chuck's vocals are sung to create the most accessible moment since the power ballad. A more rock n roll feel also kicks off "Room 117". His singing voice sounds much better than expected on this album. "Havana Syndrome" is back to their older era of melodic thrash. The title track closes the album and finds Billy employing a more aggressive vocal approach. I will give this album a 9.5; it's well-balanced and does not feel dated, though not bringing anything new to the table, it finds them capable of holding their legacy and representing a balanced cross-section of the varied elements they are about.
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