Havok
Time is Up
Rating
Style: Bay Area Thrash
Release date: 28 March, 2011
Playing time: 40:00
 

YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That was one of my first reactions when I heard the first tunes coming from my stereo. What a pleasure, what a dedication and what a sound. This young band stole my heart after the first notes. I'm very sad that I missed their 2009 debut album 'Burn'. If it is as good as this one I regret it even more. This second Havok album hasn't been out of my CD-player since I got it. 2011 is already a good year for the general thrash fan with records of Destruction, Legion of the Damned, Lazarus A.D., Onslaught, Assassin, Izegrim etc. etc. However, none of them beats out the new Havok in my humble opinion!

Razor-sharp riffs with a groove and the Bay Area move. Combining the best staccato riffs of Exodus/Vio-lence with the melodic guitar work of Testament without becoming boring. Awesome riffs with aggressive vocals sounding like a mix between Schmier and Chuck Billy. It all sounds old school with a very modern sound. Although it isn't original, they give their music a certain touch, which makes it special again. Perhaps I like this because listening to this music takes me back to times when I was still young, had almost nothing to worry about and was just hanging around with they guys and drinking lots of beer. Whatever it is, I LIKE this music very MUCH.

Fans of old school Bay Area and more modern bands like Bonded By Blood or those, who find the new Lazarus A.D. too modern, step in here! There isn't a better release this month (or it must be Vicious Rumors). Will this record become our album of the month, I have to give them a rating that beats the one Illdisposed (95) already gotten from my colleague Thomas. Sorry Thomas, no hard feelings, I hope.


Tracklist

01. Prepare for Attack
02. Fatal Intervention
03. No Amnesty
04. D.O.A.
05. Covering Fire
06. Killing Tendencies
07. Scumbag in Disguise
08. The Cleric
09. Out of My Way
10. Time Is Up

Label: Candlelight Records
Distribution: Plastic Head Music
Reviewed by: Reinier de Vries
Date: 19 March, 2011
Website: www.myspace.com/havok