Although the current thrash metal resurgence might have caught some of us off guard in an all-of-a-sudden "Holy shit, labels are signing standard-tuned denim-clad bands again!" kind of way, the movement has already stretched as far as Quebec, where REANIMATOR is doing their part in bringing the genre… well… back to life. Though short in length, "Thrashin' the Neighborhood" proves that these guys are worthy to stand alongside the likes of FUELED BY FIRE, EVILE. SKELETONWITCH and any other breakout band yet to come.

Now when metal fans think Canadian thrash, visions of VOIVOD and ANNIHILATOR most likely dance through their heads. In actuality, this is a band that stretches further. These guys often sound more influenced by the USA than the Great White North, whether it's the run that starts about 3 ½ minutes into "Black Bones" that sounds nearly identical to the intro of "Holy Wars…the Punishment Due" or the dry, bare-minimum distortion reminiscent of NUCLEAR ASSAULT (the 18 second blip "DC Pino" confirms the influence). And the next time someone says that SADUS never made an impact, play 'em this sucker - from the high-pitched monotone rasp of Pétrick Le Pirate to the snazzy bass licks from Maxime Cormier, this is 25 minutes that would make Mr. DiGiorgio and the boys weep with joy.

What's more, this is a shining example of a band that embraces a classic sound but isn't bound by it. "Venom of the Beast" does a brilliant job of combining the prerequisite thrash speed with surprising mid-paced groove, only to take the listener though a break of slower, more modern-sounding hardcore riffing and back again. From there, "Roadkill" has a horns-worthy classic metal feel to it, and the inventive rhythms employed in the break of "Breathless Birth" work like a charm.

Yep, looks like we have another winner on our hands. If more bands can make the thrash template their own the way REANIMATOR does, then this resurgence is going to be a very lengthy, very rewarding one. Thrash or be thrashed!

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.reanimator.ca

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