Canada's THINE EYES BLEED offers a potent blend of metal sounds on this, their self-titled second release. While their debut album was a more melodic thrash style, this one takes an evil turn, striking up visions of classics such as BATHORY'S "Blood Fire Death", early MORBID ANGEL, DARK ANGEL, and other albums in the death/thrash zone. That being one of my favorite styles, I found more than a worthwhile earful on this CD.

The tracks strike me as either, 1. Wow, or 2. Not bad, and I mean that kindly considering how many other albums I’ve given the thumbs-down lately. "The Dragon," for one, is a "wow" track featuring classic thrash riff-age and technical changes - while remaining a coherent piece of work. The vocals manage to run the gamut of thrash, death, and black metal styles, but without straying too far in any one direction. Impressive! Most of the rest of the release, though, falls squarely in the "not bad" territory, which is to say ordinary in a good kind of way.

All in all I am impressed with this outfit and, knowing they have toured with the likes of SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON, clearly others share my view. "Thine Eyes Bleed" will likely appeal more to newer fans, but there is plenty for us old thrashers to get excited about, too.

- Noring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thineeyesbleed.com

RELATED ITEMS: THINE EYES BLEED - "In the Wake of Seperation", 2005