These songs appeared in 1988, this is a re-recorded album of the ‘What’s The Purpose’ album, formed firmly in the depths of classic thrash metal with a touch of crossover from the vocals on this more up to date version. It still sounds fresh in places and with tracks like ‘My Gun’ and ‘AA’ hitting everything from late 80’s Anthrax, ‘85-‘87 Exodus to first album Metallica, there’s a lot of style here that most are very familiar with.
Recorded at the legendary Carriage House Studios the sound may be vintage and the band are considered veterans (even though less known than most in thrash circles, to me anyway!), they still have a raw mid-80’s explosion on CD. Capturing this energy is essential. However, after a few of the tracks, you may well divert your attention, but after ‘One Swift Kick’, Sonick Plague will pound you back to the terrorzone, although very much in the American way, not the Teutonic sense.
The CD itself is presented in digipack format, which is unfortunately a touch thin on liner notes and the history of the band which should have had some inclusion. There is also a lack of printed lyrics, but with this style you quickly make use of them as they are easily decipherable and not a total loss. I value the release because it’s not a simple re-release, the band have put time to re-record their work, the results show via a modern approach, but it still retains heritage and soul of a bygone classic period for thrash. One which this band deserve credit for, but there is a big step up to the bands that nearly or should have been in the big four of thrash compared to this one, but, well worthy of checking out, it’s a good album, not band, just a touch understated at times, although live this will really get some mosh pits going I am sure and this is just a taster while the band continue working on their follow up release.
(7/10 Paul Maddison)
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