Italian Thrash Metal quartet EXTREMA formed in 1982, originally under the moniker "KILLDOZER," until founding member Diego Columbo was relieved of his axe duties and Tommy Massara was hired as his replacement. The band has been writing and recording since 1987, through multiple demos and EPs, and six full-length albums released between 1993 and 2013. "The Old School" is their newest EP, containing five new tracks and two live tracks. "Life" provides the opening flavor of the EP. It's pretty traditional Thrash music, with shifting, energetic riffs, and shouted vocals. Though it's nothing original per se, the band does pour in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the recording. "Carcasses" has about the same pace as well as the same level of anger. The dueling leads are a nice bonus to the song however.

"Tribal Scream" slows down a little and settles into more of a routine. I have to say however that is sounds a little flat in comparison, with the overly simple riffs and linear vocals. "Child Abuse" turns up the fervor into a rack fueled by rage and heaviness. Some of these songs are so short that you could argue a bordering with the Punk/Hardcore/Crossover genres, but with obvious musicianship more pertinent to the Thrash genre. Is "M.a.s.s.a.c.r.o." an acronym, inside story or ode to guitarist Massara? Not sure, but in any case it is full-bodied instrumental with un-relenting guitars, bass and drums. At its conclusion I would expect to see some pretty bloody fingertips from all of this chaos!

The cover of MOTORHEAD's "Ace Of Spades" is somewhat telling to what I was eluding to earlier with the genre bending. It sounds about what I would expect...a speeded up version relying on the energy of the live crowd and just hammering on a known and cherished riff all the way through the end of the song. Overall, I think the EP "Old School" is indeed as old school as you hear today. It's not totally trite but there's nothing really new being presented here. I would point to their musicianship and synergy as being the best parts of the EP.