TOXIC HOLOCAUST

It is interesting to note how often TOXIC HOLOCAUST gets namedropped as a point of reference in reviews of damn near any album that has any association whatsoever with gnarly old school, punk powered thrash or any review in which DISCHARGE is referenced. There is a good reason for it though, as Joel Grind is an all-in type of guy and his project is a difficult one to dislike. The genuine approach and immediate impact of the material on albums like 2005's "Hell on Earth" and 2008's "An Overdose of Death" resonated with metal fans. Grind's place in the world then is that of a 21st Century representative of no-bullshit, down 'n dirty throwback thrash played by a diehard fan who knows what he loves and puts everything he's got into staying true to it. If TOXIC HOLOCAUST couldn't musically seal the deal, then we could write it off as more retro hyperbole of a horse that's been beaten to death. But seal it they do and the only difference between the music of "Conjure and Command" and that of previous releases is a better production, more variety, and a purer form of thrash metal.

Don't fret, as a "better" recording only means fuller, louder, and clearer, as opposed to polished and pretty. It is also, on balance, faster. This time the SLAYER influence is more pronounced. Still septic, the thrash of "Conjure and Command" is dirtied up with more metal than punk, as in more VENOM and CELTIC FROST (at least on "Agony of the Damned"). Grind still sounds like he downed a pint of motor oil and smoked a pack of Pall Malls before he sang (thankfully) the tunes and the punk attitude is certainly present, but songs like "Judgment Awaits You" and "Revelations" are bigger, ballsier, and more SLAYER-ized, yet still resolutely TOXIC HOLOCAUST, right down to the gas masks and stench of stale beer. The speeds reach breakneck levels with some regularity, but the changeups to mid-tempo material are more than welcome and in the case of "I Am Disease" much closer to crawling dread than unrelenting firefight. "Bitch" is a definite standout as one tough, bass-rumbling, buzz-sawing metal mutha that features a righteous shout-out chorus to the burning of witches that just feels right!

On balance, some might find a degree of the rugged underground charm that characterized "Evil Never Dies" or "An Overdose of Death" missing from the new long player, but in the larger scheme any complaints should be minor and short-lived. Just because "Conjure and Command" trades in some looseness for taut muscularity doesn't make it any less loud 'n proud. Thrash on Joel, thrash on!