When I think of one-person heavy metal projects, I tend to think of the projects I see pop up in my local sphere that conjure images of a person alone in their basement playing on their eight-string guitar, trying to make something that sounds vaguely like metal music.  Acid Mass, on the other hand, is nothing like I'm used to hearing from a one-person metal project and their new release, "Worship," rivals some of the best thrash released by touring bands. Acid Mass is the brainchild of highly talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ben Ricketts. Hailing from Cincinnati, Acid Mass is one of the best thrash metal projects blazing out of the Midwest. "Worship" is the second full-length album by Acid Mass, and it continues to build on the energy and intensity of their 2023 debut, Lust for Violence. "Worship" from start to finish is everything I love about thrash metal, from the chunky ripping riffs to the unrelenting rhythm section onslaught that invokes memories of Havok and Slayer.

The track "War Machine" reminds me of Slayer's Seasons in the Abyss in the beginning before going on a thrash metal Blitzkrieg that takes no prisoners if they're caught in the way of the juggernaut that is Acid Mass. The "War Machine" was just the beginning of total war that escalates into an atomic priest delivering the "Nuclear Exorcism." "Nuclear Exorcism" is that track that makes everyone with long hair windmill uncontrollably, and those with no hair pretend to have some just windmill along. "Worship" has no shortage of guest appearances, including Matt Sokol of Wraith, who, along with Ben, wrote the lyrics and provided crushing guest vocals on "Hell From Above." Nicholas Burks of Savage Master provides a wild second solo on "Inferno Queen," which perfectly fits the song title. Ash Thomas of Faithxtractor and James McBain of Hellripper both provide killer lead work on "Return To Shadow Moses," those solos may stick in your head for days after listening.

"Worship" is one of my top thrash albums of 2024, and that is because of the top-tier musicianship and songwriting skills of Ben Ricketts. The production on "Worship" is nothing short of amazing. From start to finish, every part of "Worship" is crafted with a great love and a burning passion for the genre. "Worship" is one of those albums you don't get tired of and keep playing on repeat until you destroy the CD and need to buy another one.