"If these riffs were used as bait on fishing hooks you’d catch a thrash fan every time".

Ok, I maaaay have underestimated Havok’s potential when I reviewed their debut "Burn" in 09. Maybe the band were just warming up, or now with the addition of a new second guitarist it spiced things up, maybe both,...regardless, "Time Is Up" is fucking slamming! This album smokes from beginning to end and the balanced/warm/full/clean mix (mastered by James Murphy) just makes the songs all the more enjoyable.

At every turn there are catchy thrash riffs, busy punchy drums, and so many groovy tempo changes. ‘Prepare For Attack’ and ‘Fatal Intervention’ are the result of modern day Destruction, 80s Exodus, Overkill, Vio-Lence, and Testament having an orgy, and the offspring is ready to keep the pit going for hours. And Kreator got in on the fun for ‘No Amnesty’. I also hear at times Megadeth, Sodom, and Metallica given how parts of a song are delivered.

With album #2, already Havok already "get it" and David Sanchez (who also produced the album) is coming into his own with the vocals. A short opening Gamma Ray style twin guitar leads and double bass juxtapose the closing straight forward riffs and a scream in ‘D.O.A.’ which pays its respects to Slayer’s "Reign In Blood". ‘Covering Fire’, ‘Killing Tendencies’, and the title track are three of my favs, mastering the thrash framework crafted with patience and precision, a focus on melodic and reflective leads, and a memorable chorus.

I think several of these new young thrash bands are great (Lazarus A.D., Gama Bomb, Bonded By Blood, Mantic Ritual, Warbringer), but I’m calling it now in February that "Time Is Up" is one of, if not, the Thrash Album of 2011 from the new generation!