Havok Time Is Up
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer
After a rather lengthy stay in the “styles of old” category, thrash metal has been making a major reappearance in the last couple of years. Perhaps the gathering of the Big 4 for a handful of shows has released some sort of mosh energy that has helped resurrect the style. Or maybe metalheads just really miss jean vests and high tops. But whatever the reason, thrash is undoubtedly back. At the forefront of neothrash bands worth checking out is Denver-based Havok, who are set to release their brain-scrambling new album, Time Is Up.
Produced by legendary guitarist James Murphy, Time Is Up is both a total flashback and modern masterpiece. The band hasn’t reinvented the wheel, instead keeping their take on thrash fairly pure and traditional. But coupled with the technical prowess of the members, and the sleek, modern production, the result is an album tailor made for new and old fans alike. Rarely darlings of the money-loaded major record labels, thrash bands of yore often suffered from thin and spotty production. Havok gives us a glimpse at what things may have sounded like had a metal subgenre other than hair metal ruled the airwaves in the ‘80s.
Standout tracks include the super-tight and intense opener, “Prepare for Attack,” the less speedy, yet no less effective track “The Cleric,” and the constantly changing “No Amnesty.” The latter track also features an epic scream that would even have Roger Daltrey taking notice.
Stylistically, this is about as pure as thrash gets. There are no acoustic breaks, rap interludes, or sing-along choruses. This is all about speed, aggression, screaming, and soloing. If ever a style were designed specifically to induce headbanging, this would be it. Of all the classic bands that have surely had some influence on Havok, Testament seems to cut through the most. The tempo changes, melodic riffs, and loads of guitar harmonies all scream classic Skolnik/Peterson. This is not to accuse Havok of being a clone, far from it, in fact. Time Is Up feels more like a celebration of a great, yet relatively underappreciated band than a re-creation of one.
So for those who feel Metallica wussed out, Megadeth got too corporate, Anthrax too modern and Slayer too, well, the same as always, Havok should be a great reminder as to what made thrash so damn cool in the first place. So dig out the Reeboks and tight jeans, loosen up your neck muscles, and get ready to mosh.
Genre: Thrash
Band:
David Sanchez (v,g)
Jesse De Los Santos (b,v)
Pete Webber (d)
Reece Scruggs (g)
Track Listing:
1. Prepare For Attack
2. Fatal Intervention
3. No Amnesty
4. D.O.A.
5. Covering Fire
6. Killing Tendencies
7. Scumbag In Disguise
8. The Cleric
9. Out Of My Way
10. Time Is Up
Label: Candlelight Records
Website: www.havokband.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 9.3/10