When you listen to a Thrash Metal CD you expect to hear some crushing riffs, fast tempos and to be able to bang your head. With WARCHEST's "Aftershock" you get all the above. The only short fall is the vocalist but the awesome instrumentation helps make up for it. With "Aftershock" you get a fist pounding, head banging, thrash ride till the end of the record. The guitars sound extra beefy and the bass is actually quite audible unlike other bands where it hides beneath the rest of the instrumentation. The solos on this album are not half bad and actually take some talent to play. WARCHEST is one thrash band I hope will continue to turn out many more releases.

The opening track, "Aftershock", helps get the album off to a galloping start. The guitar riffs sound like something Gary Holt from Exodus would have created. The overall guitar tone has a similar sound to that beefy Exodus sound which is a huge plus. If there was a perfect song to follow up the opening track it would be "The Entrance". The tempo throughout this track is very easy to bob your head to as the chunky sounding guitar and the prominent bass work together to create a simple yet very satisfying riff. That same riff creates a solid foundation for the impressive solo to stand upon. "Contradiction" is where the vocals can become annoying for some listeners. Although the riffs and solo toward the end do not disappoint the vocals on the chorus leave something to be desired. Other than that it's another good song. "Warchest" is perhaps the bands anthem and a song I could imagine being played at every live show this band performs. Although this song does seem to focus more on lyrical content than solid riffs it is still quite a strong song.

"Prelude (Jpe 001)" is nothing more than an instrumental intro to the next track "Let Me Down". Track 6 is a slower ballad type song. However, being slower does not in anyways mean it is weaker than any other track on this record. The slower pace comes as a relief to the constant onslaught of brutal riffs.  Its placement on the record could not have been more perfect. Once "Let Me Down" ends you are ready for some fast upbeat thrash once again. The second half of "Alone" is much better than the first. While the first half is boring and lack luster the second half helps make up for it with a groovy guitar rhythm that leads into crushing simple breakdown. Track number 9, "Army of Revolution", is a very satisfying song with multiple riff and rhythm changes to make sure it never gets boring. The technicality exhibited in "Army of Revolution" makes it my favorite track off of this cd. The closing track "Fear of the Machine" has all the ingredients for yet another strong thrash track making it an appropriate way to close out a solid Thrash Metal CD.

If you like good chunky riffs and beefy guitar tones like EXODUS then you will enjoy this album.