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MUNICIPAL WASTE
Electrified Brain
Nuclear Blast

So Thrash Metal is supposed to be fun, right? It's the only one genre that can't take itself seriously but at the same time it’s as serious as a heart attack. Many modern Metal bands border on mediocrity and try too hard to thrive on that sort of hysterically fun aspect that only Thrash Metal itself has. You got to have that attitude and it simply doesn’t feel right when you mix in clean vocals and (non-hardcore) breakdowns (not all breakdowns are bad, mmkay?!). When you have Horror-laced Thrashers like MUNICIPAL WASTE that do it right, it’s a reanimator formula that helps continue the Thrash resurgence of the past near decade much like the Death Metal revival happening today. The proof in MUNICIPAL WASTE’s newest album Electrified Brain is the personification of great modern Thrash.

It’s been 5 years since their last album Slime And Punishment, which was guitarist Nick Poulos’ (ex-CANNABIS CORPSE) first full-length with MW. Aside from the unfortunate passing of guitarist Brandon Ferrell since their 2003 ripper of a debut in Waste ‘Em All, this has been the only other inconsistency for the band. Now 7 albums deep and multiple Split EP’s with various bands like CRUCIAL UNIT, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, HIRAX (**wink*), among others – MUNICIPAL WASTE look to rekindle their newly extended relationship (contract) with Nuclear Blast Records with Electrified Brain.

With songs that average about 2 and a half minutes long, MW manage to cram 14 tracks onto an album that just cracks the half-hour mark. Continuing the crossover sound that is prevalent in Thrash, a mix of straight ahead hardcore style with that old school punk influences, the speed on this album goes back and forth from hyper-groove at times with songs “Demoralizer”, “Grave Dive”, “High Speed Steel” - then floors it on the songs “Last Call”, “Thermonuclear Protection” and the title track opener for which they produced a gore‘tastic video for, again with Norman Cabrera, who they’ve worked with in the past. “Restless and Wicked” and “Blood Vessel – Boat Jail”, with drummer Dave Witte bringing the thunder, some double-bass and blast-beats thrown in, are a couple of my favorite tracks on this great record. I’m glad that many great solos are tossed in to give it more character so as not to leave this record feeling to monotonous and flat.

“Loud, fast, and ripping hardcorepunkmetal” is how Vocalist Tony Foresta describes what MW has stayed true to and done for 20 years and hopes that the listener will “…walk away with some bloody ears, blown speakers, pissed off parents, black eyes, and a healthy distrust of authority.”

The gateway drug that gave way to multiple genres in Metal, remains true and it has to, as loyal fans are living proof that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, but as you and I know, Thrashers will always find a reason to break something. This one will fulfil that urge and more. And if you need additional fuel to fill that craving, head to Los Angeles and hit burger palace GRILL ‘EM ALL for a “Witte” or “Waste ‘em All” Burger while cranking Electrified Brain and see if you don’t get hit with a hefty Trash Metal food coma.

4.0 Out Of 5.0