Here we go again, another album by HIRAX. Well, I do say that “Faster Than Death” is a full length, but that is because it houses nine songs. The fact that the total playing time is 21:54 minutes makes me wonder whether I am getting this right. As the band hasn’t sent any information with the music and cover, I look it up in The Metal Archives, where I see it classed as a full album. Okay then. And if you don’t know who HIRAX is, I can’t really blame you, as they never made in into the big leagues. But hey, when you play Crossover Metal with a lot of Thrash and Speed Metal parts interwoven, that is not really in the books, is it. But then again, how many of these types of bands can say that they started life in 1981, in Buena Park, California, to be exact. Up and until late 1983 they were known as L.A. Kaos before changing their name to HIRAX.

On the other hand, if you like your S.O.D. and D.R.I., you must have come across HIRAX, as it is in the same ball park as those bands, who apparently everybody does know. Throughout the years the band has given us some real classics, like their first two albums, “Raging Violence” (1985) and “Hate, Fear And Power” (1986). And another thing, the band has never strayed from their musical direction, as band leader Katon W. de Pena has always felt that that is where his power lies, plus that is the best kind of music to suit his very critical lyrics. He could almost be a commie, with his thoughts on politics, global companies and international relations. But he is also very well aware of the failings of the simple human being.

What that gives us on “Faster Than Death” is just under 22 minutes of a band spewing their bloody fast Crossover Metal at us as a public. I for one am grateful that the album isn’t any longer, as my aging body is tiring really fast, just trying to keep up with the tempo. And no, I’m not typing this as fast as HIRAX is playing their music. If I was, I could have had this review done in 5 minutes instead of 30. As a conclusion I have to say that the music on “Faster Than Death” is as strong as it ever was for HIRAX, so if you like what they did before, this is a safe bet. If you don’t know the band, “Faster Than Death” is a very good starting point. Let’s see if you survive going all the way back to the start.