Heavy Maytal : Acid Reign : "Daze of the Week"

This long-running British thrash band Acid Reign is back with a ripping speed fest that finds the opening song still having purpose rather than jsut slapping you upside the head and running off. In some ways, their approach makes me think of a less punk Vio-Lence with the higher pitched Exodus styled vocals. The title track keeps the momentum going, though the vocals have a more deliberate punch to their staccato accents, and Howard Smith actually sings rather than just shouting at you on the chorus. 

These guys date all the way back to the 80s, so they obviously know what they are doing and come from a time when songwriting mattered more than just being heavy. "Not Truth" jsut kind of races past you while "King of Coniption" is catchier and has more purposeful songwriting. The emphasis on songwriting should always be at the forefront of critical thinking when it comes to music, no matter the genre. The solos are all pretty ripping if that is what you are into. With a song like "Alonely," they clearly understand this concept. 

Midway into "Blind Lies' things get more melodic, which helps create a stronger dynamic sense for the album. At just over six minutes, it's the album's longest song. "Sorrowsworn" finds them stepping on the gas, the drums keeping pace even as the chorus gets more melodic. "Young Old Man" has a more Megadeth-like rock swagger. The vocals bark out in a more hardcore fashion. "Fantastic Passion" kinda blew past me on this first listen to had to give it another try and pay more attention. It's pretty average thrash. The last song, however, might be the album's best as it's the most vocally melodic nad dyanmic. These guys came back and brought it right I will give this album an 8.5, as it is sure to be one of the better thrash releases this year.

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