A rage assault, opening with a crank of Industrial-Metal and you begin to explore the latest FORGERY release "Edge Of Perception". An album that builds with intensity, capturing the essence of the band early on, stuttering drums and guitar attacks with bass lines running in and out of the war that develops around the listener. The Norway based quartet of hardcore-thrash artists aim hard and direct at the center of the genre, unleashing an album which may be their finest yet.  It is no stretch to use the name FORGERY in the same breath as MACHINE HEAD, PANTERA  or even FEAR FACTORY, it is not that they sound similar but, across these eleven-tracks of demented evil they riff up to the best of them, the same energetic levels and the same in your face impact, excellent.

By no way are they new kids on the sonic block, FORGERY cut their teeth in the midst of the genre, breaking up in the nineties and reforming as a steady act since 2002. The horror-movie image on the cover is the perfect doorway into this thrilling abyss, "Age Of Perception" blasts like an atom bomb has just exploded within the speakers and never blows over, never stops. A festival of doom ridden riffs rule the show here, the atmospheric noise of "Scream" and "Through The Veins" are extreme trash with a subtle death injection. "Scent Of Prey" displays the very origins of their sound, nonetheless, throughout the album the vocals of Anders Moen are a treat of accessibly flavored doom, not too gruff and none of the over the top growling.  The pretentious angle does not enter the framework of FORGERY, they are not pretending to be anything other than a power-thrash band.

"Throttled" showcases how the band is pushing forward, the guitar and drum intro is a densely addictive groove, however, like most worthwhile machines such as FORGERY the drumming stands out and Jan Roger Halvorsen is built perfectly to provide the backbone to foil that sound when needed.  On "12 Gauge Fate" the kick drum work is exceptional along with the distorted bass solo included by the very solid Morten Steen. There is melody to be found with the noise,  the opening of "No Escape" is a perfect example of this, though as the album closes with the standout "Shadows Through A Keyhole" you do get shades of a NWOBHM approach, the tension builds with a sly piece of synth and crying guitar as the song slides into the thunder with an unusual riff that keeps the listener latched.

"Edge Of Perception" clocks in just shy of the hour mark, though it is an enjoyable journey and FORGERY have shown the advancements they have made in the short few years since "With These Fists", there is also a very fearless need to experiment with their style which is the heart of excellence contained here.