The second EP from Tennessee's DAWN PATROL is another Crossover Thrash affair - relentless and unforgiving, slashing and attacking from a perspective that would make NUCLEAR ASSAULT and EXODUS proud. The trio of musicians mix up their speedy riffs with the necessary 'slam' parts that create pit frenzy. Spencer handles the vocals as well, and his main performance is satisfactory but a little hoarse at times in the higher screams.

I'm happy to hear a natural open snare tone that sounds real and not processed through Pro Tools a million times - and the lead breaks aren't always shred-fests (check out "1984"). Gang vocals emphasize all the important chorus moments, and you have to love the stop/ start transitions that signal important riff changes for "No More Police State" and closer "Toxic Avenger".

After listening to this style of metal for over a quarter century (yes I am that old), I admit that DAWN PATROL is great for the occasional energy burst, but this is a style that S.O.D. and NUCLEAR ASSAULT pioneered, and I don't think the trio are really elevating anything beyond a by the numbers Thrash approach. Probably a band that would entertain me more in a live setting than on record, "Police State" is okay, which in the long run isn't good enough for me.