It may be a "new age of terror" but what we have here is a very familiar sound. That sound is old school thrash metal, and the band purveying it is truly one of the die-hards of that scene, Hirax. These guys have been around since the days when Kerry King had long hair and nail-spiked armbands. They've rubbed shoulders with the likes of Hetfield, Mustaine and Baloff before those guys hit the big time. It has been a quiet 15 years or so for Hirax, but now the wolves of thrash have been unchained once more.

This band was always kind of unique, even in the 80's. They did albums like "Raging Violence", full of short and insanely fast tracks that featured the unusual melodic vocals of manic frontman Katon DePena. Katon has kept the faith with Hirax, and the band now emerges into the 21st century, where metal has become even more extreme. Is there still a place for Hirax? "New Age of Terror" would seem to indicate there is. The record is 100% old school Bay Area thrash in the grand fashion. Even the production has the dry, analog quality that marked many of the old bands. To tell the truth, I had to let this one grow on me. At first listen, it sounded too "basic" and not "busy" enough. But after a while, the simple hooks lodge themselves in your mind, and you find yourself first nodding your head, then banging it, and finally flying around the room with air guitar at the ready.

If you like aggressive metal, but the over-the-top vocals and total distortion of death metal is not your thing, Hirax may be just what the doctor ordered. Thrash still lives!

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2005 Year Book Volume 3 at https://garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2005.