Canada's W.M.D. have made a killer Thrash Metal album that takes the genre back to its 80's hey day  but incorporates a modern style that keeps the whole album coming off as a labor of love rather than a rip off.  To my ears, they remind me of DEATH ANGEL or NUCLEAR ASSAULT...but on steroids. The aptly titled "Ignition," starts the album with a resounding rapid fire burst of energy-and that is one thing this band is never in short supply of.  Another aspect they have in abundance is song writing skills; many of the songs presented on "Lethal Revenge" display talent and maturity far beyond the years of the band's existence.  All four members of the band are constantly in top form but I must say the MVP is Jake Wendt and his incredible bass skills.  It isn't often I pay attention to bass on a Thrash Metal album but I'd listen to this guy do a solo play thru.

The title track, "Lethal Revenge," for example, is an eight minute tour de force that not only crushes but is also surprisingly dynamic.  The first three minutes or so are an all out thrash attack, instruments hitting with both speed and precision but the middle part is completely different.  Spoken word rolls over clean instrumentation that in turn leads into a vocal section that wouldn't sound out of place on a VIO-LENCE album.  The last couple minutes are riffs and bass that are far more interesting and intricate that most other modern thrash bands can produce.  Mills and Blaze are extremely confident in their variety of abilities and it shines through clearly.  Although I enjoyed every song, I wish they went a step further with their obvious skills and through in even more twists and turns but I'm being nit picky at this point because there really is a lot to love on this album.

"Brazen Bull," is one of the album's highlights, accented by near virtuoso guitars and incredible leads. Mills' already crazy vocals are even more frantic, as are the perfect drums of Nolan.  However, despite the stellar musicianship they are first and foremost a Thrash act and they never let you forget it. "Toxic Burn" and "Thrash Attack," both go for the kill and don't let up until your ears are bloody stumps of their former glory. The best Thrash Metal album I have heard in some time and if you like modern thrash such as POWER TRIP, HAVOC, STRIKER, and WARBRINGER but also love the old school stuff, this band is the perfect combination of everything great about both eras of thrash.