The Thrash Metal sub-genre is so often taken for granted. There are a LOT of mediocre Thrash out there and there are even more terrible Thrash records, but truly high quality Thrash bands are a rarity. This is one of the main reasons to revere Evildead, and their 2020 comeback record, “United States of Anarchy.” (Or is it “United $tates of Anarchy?”)
They use their No. 2 pencils to tick all of the boxes of the genre, without coloring outside of the lines, but they do it damned effectively. Sardonic, cynical, satirical social commentary mixed with Horror movie lore? Check. Killer riffs and relentless drums? Check. Guttural throatpunch lead vox? Check. Fist-raising backing vocal shouts? Check. This album sees a strong return from Evildead, with the band standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers and paragons of past and present, like Death Angel, Slayer, DRI, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Overkill, Metallica, Anthrax, et al.

Many of these songs were started before their breakup in the early 90s. The band commented when they talked to MetalAsylum in 2020 that many of the lyrics were still just as relevant and applicable to the world today, nearly thirty years later.
Lots of highlights, but probably none greater than the guitar breakdown on “Word of God.” If that doesn’t get your head banging, I don’t know what will. The loungey “No Difference” intro gets me every time too - - right down to the fingersnaps. “Seed of Doubt” also kicks ass - - and the bonus track B-52s cover of “Planet Claire” is a blast.
This shit isn’t glamorous, it isn’t pretty, it isn’t shiny. . . It’s just unflinching, hard-hitting, unapologetic Metal, hammered out from the Thrash template. Evildead “could give a fuck if you remember” them. But you should.