AGGRESSIVE PERFECTOR is a Thrash Metal trio out of Manchester, England. They formed in 2014, issued their demo, "Satan's Heavy Metal," in 2014, and on November 22, 2019 they released their first full-length album, "Havoc at the Midnight Hour." They follow the no-frills, old school formula and they do it well. The only real disappointment with the album is that there isn't a cover of their namesake, "Aggressive Perfector" (SLAYER, 1983). I'm glad to report, however, that the eight tracks they do lay out are all fairly impressive.

The album has an analog vibe to it and the production values are fairly solid. Although there are a few synth flourishes (gasp), there are no orchestras, acoustic interludes, or eunuch choirs, so nothing too sophisticated needed on the mix. For a Thrash album, the lyrics are oddly extensive. I mean, it's not like these fellows are examining the esoteric nature of life, the universe, and everything - it's just pretty much aggression and mayhem. Not a bad thing, but just saying.

Music-wise, no complaints at all. This is 36 minutes of Thrash goodness. The riffs aren't the fastest, but they are full, heavy and compelling, which is to say there's enough hook in them to infect your brain and enough distortion to torment your neighbors. You'll find yourself humming little grave ditties like "Onward to the Cemetery" and "Seven Gates," which is sure to ingratiate you to your cubicle mates or lab partners or whoever the hell it is you hang with nowadays.

The album kicks off with a trio of standout tracks: "Onward to the Cemetery," "Chains of Black Wrath," and "Turbo Evil." There is a bit of lull with "Land of the Return," which for some reason just didn't do it for me. Track five, "Into the Nightmare," picks up the fray again and the album cranks right through to the end. My personal favorite is "Seven Gates," the final and longest track on the album. "Into the Nightmare" is a close second. With its multiple movements, it's the most complex song out of the batch.

"Havoc at the Midnight Hour" heralds back to a simpler and, one could argue, better time. But time and opinions are relative. The fact is, these three lads deliver a barrage of metal that some bands can't do with five members. They keep it straightforward, loud, and aggressive. This just might be what the new decade needs.