Break out the Budweiser Beer, denim jacket (complete of course with your favorite Heavy Metal pins and patches) and Trans Am car for this one.

Starting this debut off oddly enough with an instrumental 'Ernest Goes to Hell' is different but what is even more intriguing is the fact that Fueled by Fire is as old school Thrash Metal as you can get especially in 2007. Taking a page out of the early Anthrax, Slayer, Exodus, Laaz Rockit, Vio –Lence (listen to the backing vocals for 'Spread the Fire') classic 80’s hand book complete with old school comic book style cover artwork is going be a treat for many. I was even surprised at the retro style photography of the band in the booklet as each member struck very METAL cliché 80’s poses.

Titles for this trip into the past include the scorcher and aptly titled 'Thrash is Back' (which includes Iron Maiden like melodic twin guitars) followed by the highly Exodus influenced 'Striking Death' given its sheer aggression and straight forward delivery. Really I have not heard a band capture 80’s thrash as well as these guys have in years.

Even sonically this is not modern (mastering was done by Joey Vera from Armored Saint/Fates Warning), overly compressed or muddy. Every instrument has room to breath and the vocals are sung instead of screaming which can be heard by almost everyone in extreme metal circles. You get some of the harshness from the band Possessed at times but I hear more Paul Baloff (late Exodus) than anyone else.

Definitely recommended for your daily dose of old school Thrash Metal.