Havok: Conformicide ALBUM REVIEW

Conformicide is the latest release from Thrash revivalists, Havok, who I recently reviewed for METAL MARCH. Which is fitting, because I feel like this album is the natural progression of an album like Time Is Up, whereas the actual follow-up felt a little less intense and interesting to listen to (think Youththanasia from Megadeth after Countdown). In fact, Conformicide is quite possibly the finest Thrash album of the past few years and while I do have a few nitpicks here and there, I think this is easily the most thoroughly excellent and enjoyable metal album of the year thus far, and also one of this year's best albums so far.

However, I have to start with my issues with the LP because they hit almost immediately, namely, the lyrics. That's not to say that I disagree with the overtly political messages on this album (for the most part, I understand where they're coming from) but the fact that the album is SO overtly political 100% of the runtime, leads to some less than stellar lyrics, because the words don't always flow out smoothly with the lyrics, such as the kind of clunky chorus on "Dogmaniacal". Also, while I appreciate the ballsy-ness of the opening track "F.P.C." I can see why a lot of people would immediately be turned off by this track, seeing as it is the one track on here that I can see those certain spheres of the internet lashing out against, other than that, this album shoots for targets that have been Thrash staples since the beginning; including, religion, government, war, and society at large. For example, the single "Ingsoc" is basically the book 1984 condensed into a seven-minute metal track and the track "Hang Em' High" sees Havok wishing for the government to "get what they deserve.

But, putting the lyrics aside (though they do add to the overall experience) this album is through and through a Thrash metal beast. From fast, in your face riffing, to nimble and audible bass-lines to machine-gun drumming, this is the genre at it's modern day finest, with pretty much each track bringing its own unique element, leading to a very enjoyable and fresh sounding LP, despite it obviously being steeped in Thrash tradition. Some of my favorite moments include the aforementioned "Hang Em' High"(this track has the ability to shred all the skin off your face if you're not careful), the equally vicious "Claiming Certainty" and the apocalyptic closer "Circling The Drain". But honestly, there really isn't a weak moment here, aside from some slightly goofy lyrics and some odd production moments here and there that make a few tracks sound a little over compressed, I can't honestly fault this album; it takes no prisoners and I like that a lot.

9.2/10